![\"Australia](\"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2010\/06\/australia-22.jpg\" "\\"Australia")
AAP – Australia will take out its own sanctions against Iran as it seeks to help curb the regime's nuclear program.<\/p>\nAAP – Australia will take out its own sanctions against Iran as it seeks to help curb the regime's nuclear program.<\/p>\n
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has announced Australia will impose sanctions on a bank, a shipping line, and an individual involved in a construction company. <\/p>\n
The move comes on top of a fresh round of UN sanctions imposed last week.<\/p>\n
"These new measures put Australia at the forefront of efforts to persuade Iran to reverse its current path of confrontation with the international community," Mr Smith said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Iran says its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful civilian purposes, while countries such as the US argue it is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n
Australia's sanctions will apply to Bank Mellat, which the UN says has facilitated transactions involving Iranian nuclear and missile entities.<\/p>\n
They will also apply to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line, which Mr Smith said had transported goods for Iran's nuclear programs.<\/p>\n
General Rostam Qasemi, the commander of Khatem ol-Anbiya Construction Organisation, also will face Australian sanctions.<\/p>\n
While noting deep concern about Iran's nuclear aspirations, Mr Smith said there was still an opportunity for dialogue.<\/p>\n
"Australia urges Iran to uphold its international obligations and seek an early negotiated solution to international community concerns about its nuclear program," he said.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Mr Smith said Iran may well be the single most difficult issue the international community had to grapple with during the next year or so.<\/p>\n
The United Nations last week decided to impose new sanctions on Iran, expanding an arms embargo and adding more names to the list of people who face personal sanctions.<\/p>\n
Australia already has autonomous sanctions in place against Iran, adding the new ones on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The European Union recently proposed its own sanctions, to cover the oil and gas industries, plus more curbs on transport, banking and insurance.<\/p>\n