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Iranian shipping set back as EU about to re-imposes sanctions

Apr.2--FORTY Iranian shipping firms are to be placed back on a blacklist of sanctioned groups by the European Union, which deals a blow to the Islamic Republic's transport sector after it sought an easing of restrictions.

The 40 companies, including Hamburg-based Ocean Capital Administration GmbH, were previously placed on the EU's sanctions list because the EU said it was controlled or otherwise linked to top national carrier the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), which had previously been blacklisted, Reuters reported.

The move is part of the EU's response to a series of court victories by Iranian companies that overturned EU sanctions against them.

In January, the EU's second highest court annulled EU sanctions on the 40 shipping companies and an Iranian bank, which had been hit with asset freezes as part of pressure on Tehran.

The General Court struck down the sanctions, saying the EU had not given valid reasons for saying that IRISL was supporting nuclear proliferation.

But the EU re-imposed new sanctions.

In letters dated March 12 and seen by Reuters, that were sent by the European Council to the shipping firms' lawyer Maryam Taher, the Council said the reasons for the intended re-listings included the companies being owned or controlled by IRISL or for providing training, spare parts and services to IRISL or IRISL employees.

"Consequently, the Council intends to designate your clients again," the letters said.

Ms Taher said the decision to re-list the companies was "purely politically motivated and not based on any proper evidence" that the entities were linked with nuclear proliferation or Iran's government.

"The whole purpose of the EU sanctions is to leverage pressure on the Iranian government to come to an agreement in relation to nuclear proliferation,N" she said.

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