EU approves sanctions against Iran's biggest bank

European Union nations approved new sanctions against Iran on Monday, including an assets freeze of the country's biggest bank.

The Bank of Melli is suspected of providing services to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and was blacklisted by the United States last year.

The EU said it will also announce Tuesday additional financial and travel sanctions _ effective immediately _ on several Iranian companies and "senior experts" linked to Tehran's nuclear program.

The 27-nation bloc is also studying sanctions against Iran's oil and gas sector _ but such a step would probably take several months to implement, diplomats say.

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