The European Union agreed to impose fresh economic sanctions on Iran, on Thursday.
In a statement, EU ministers said,
"The council agreed to broaden existing sanctions by examining, in close co-ordination with international partners, additional measures including measures aimed at severely affecting the Iranian financial system, in the transport sector, in the energy sector."
Over 180 Iranian officials and entities were added to a blacklist that imposes the freezing of assets, as well as travel bans on all those involved in developing nuclear systems.
No decision was made regarding a possible oil embargo. EU member purchase 450,000 barrels per day of Iranian oil, about 18 percent of the Islamic Republic's exports.
The EU's actions come two days after the British embassy in Tehran was attacked by a mob of protesters chanting "death to Britain" for Britain's leading role in scrutinising Iran's nuclear work.
On Wednesday, Britain shut own Iran's embassy in London and expelled its staff.
A report by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency claimed Iran was developing nuclear arsenal.
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