EU states agree on new sanctions against Iran

Brussels: European Union (EU) states agreed on Monday to impose new sanctions against Iran over its refusal to curb its nuclear programme.

The new sanctions include an asset freeze on Iran's biggest bank, Bank Melli, and will target businesses and individuals that the West alleges are linked to Iranian nuclear work.

The EU is due to publish the names of those affected on Tuesday. Visa bans will also be handed out to "very senior experts" inside Iran's nuclear and ballistic programmes.

"The individuals will be banned from entering the EU and the entities will banned from operating in the EU," an EU official said.

The official stressed the sanctions were based on measures agreed by the UN Security Council still sought an answer from Iran to their earlier incentives offer.

Iran insists its nuclear work is a peaceful programme, but the long-running dispute has sparked fears of military confrontation and helped push up oil prices to record highs.