The Council discussed the Iranian nuclear programme and adopted conclusions on this issue. It reiterated its serious and deepening concern about this programme. Given that Iran continues to refuse to comply with its international obligations and to fully co-operate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Council agreed additional restrictive measures, notably a phased embargo of Iranian crude oil imports to the EU and measures in the financial and transport sectors as well as additional designations of persons and entities, including several controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
The Council again reaffirms the longstanding commitment to work for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue in accordance with the dual-track approach. It reaffirms that the objective of the EU remains to achieve a comprehensive and long-term settlement which would build international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme, while respecting Iran’s legitimate rights to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in conformity with the NPT.
The Council urges Iran to reply positively to the offer for substantial negotiations, as set out in the High Representative's letter of 21 October 2011.