EU court outlaws sanctions on Iran university

EU court outlaws sanctions on Iran university
Thu Jul 3, 2014 14:23:14

A European Union court has annulled sanctions placed by the 28-nation bloc on a leading Iranian university on pretext of alleged involvement with the country's nuclear program.

The General Court ruled Thursday an asset freeze imposed on Tehran's Sharif University of Technology cannot be upheld because the EU failed to provide sufficient evidence.

However, the Luxembourg-based court said the asset freeze will continue for another two months to hinder the university from instantly withdrawing its frozen funds, leaving EU governments the possibility of targeting the university anew with possible proof.

The EU sanctioned the university in 2012 claiming it was "providing support to Iran's proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities."

However, Iran has repeatedly ruled out such allegations, reasoning that all of its nuclear activities are monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agency has also proved the peaceful nature of Iranian nuclear program so far.

The IAEA Chief Yukiya Amano said on June 2 that Iran is complying with an interim nuclear deal reached with the P5+1.

In a report issued by IAEA, Amano revealed that Iran had so far stuck by its agreements with the IAEA and implemented all recently agreed measures -- as talks continue with western powers in a bid to strike a major deal.

"Iran has engaged with the Agency substantively, including in the clarification of issues related to the use of exploding bridge wire detonators," Amano told IAEA members.

NTJ/NJF

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