The United States on Monday welcomed Europe’s move in expanding its sanctions on Iran, saying the world would continue to hold the Islamic Republic accountable for its nuclear activities. The European Union earlier added more than 100 firms to a blacklist of companies hit by an assets freeze, in what it said was a bid to jumpstart international talks aimed at convincing Iran to halt its nuclear activities. “The United States welcomes the decision of the European Union to expand its sanctions on Iran,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney, in a statement issued in Dublin during President Barack Obama’s visit to Ireland.
“So long as Iran refuses to fulfill its international obligations, the international community will respond by continuing to hold Iran accountable, implement fully all UN Security Council resolutions, and aggressively counter Iranian proliferation activities. “The United States remains fully committed to the peaceful resolution of international concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.”