West proposes new Iran sanctions

PAGE 12

brussels/paris — Britain, France and Germany have proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missiles and its role in Syria’s war, according to a confidential document, in a bid to persuade Washington to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.

The joint paper was sent to European Union capitals on Friday, said two people familiar with the matter, to sound out support for such sanctions as they would need the support of all 28 EU member governments.

The proposal is part of an EU strategy to save the accord that curbs Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons, namely by showing US President Donald Trump that there are other ways to counter Iranian power abroad.

Trump delivered an ultimatum to the European signatories on January 12. It said they must agree

Iran rejeCTS any CHanGe To n-Deal

Fly for AED720 TEHRAN — Iran will not accept any changes to the nuclear deal, a senior official insisted on Saturday.

“We will not accept any changes, any interpretation or new measure to “fix the terrible flaws of the Iran nuclear deal” or he would refuse to extend US sanctions relief on Iran. US sanctions will resume unless Trump issues fresh “waivers” to suspend them on May 12.

“We will therefore be circulating in the coming days a list of persons and entities that we believe should be targeted in view of their publicly aimed at limiting” the deal between Iran and major powers, said Ali Shamkhani. Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and warned European countries “against the temptation of playing at the same game as the Americans”. — demonstrated roles,” the document said, referring to Iranian ballistic missile tests and Tehran’s role in backing Syria’s government in the seven-year-old civil war.

The steps would go beyond what a US State Department cable last month outlined as a path to satisfy Trump: simply committing to improving the nuclear deal. —