Britain will team up with the EU to protect UK firms from Donald Trump's sanctions on Iran

The UK will do all it can to try to preserve the peace and allow European businesses to continue working with Iranian firms despite the US President's punishment sanctions.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt issued a joint statement with other EU foreign ministers last night – warning that the plan is "crucial for the security of Europe, the region, and the entire world".

Trump's sanctions on Iran came into force last night – after he decried the nuclear deal as "horrible" and "one-sided".

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said this morning that the British Government will" certainly" stand up to Trump over the row.

He told Radio 4's Today programme: "As far as a disagreement with President Trump on this is concerned, they can certainly expect the UK to do this.

"People talk about a partnership between us which is very real but a good partnership between friends requires us to take a stance when we think it's important to do so."

And he added: "One partner pulling out of this doesn't help that situation at all, that's why we think the Americans really have not got this right but we hope a combination of what they are doing and what the rest of us are doing will move Iran in a different direction."

Mr Burt insisted that it should be down to companies themselves if they wanted to work in Iran or not – opening up a huge diplomatic row between Europe and Washington.

But this morning the US President doubled down on the sanctions – saying that anyone doing business with Iran won't be able to do business with the US.

He said: "The Iran sanctions have officially been cast. These are the most biting sanctions ever imposed, and in November they ratchet up to yet another level.

"Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States. I am asking for WORLD PEACE, nothing less!"

The US president announced America will ban imports of pistachios and rugs from the country after pulling out of the nuclear deal earlier this year.

The so-called snapback sanctions will also target Iran's purchases of US dollars, metals trading and other dealings, coal, industrial-related software and its auto sector, officials said.

They added that Trump was ready to meet with Iran's leaders at any time in an effort to forge a new agreement with Tehran.

Washington suspended the financial measures under the 2015 deal, under which international sanctions were lifted in return for curbs on Iran's nuclear programme.

The United States also plans to re-introduce potentially more damaging sanctions on Iranian oil in November.

 

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