New York, NY, January 23, 2011 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended the European Union for adopting a ban on imports of Iranian oil and imposing other economic sanctions, including restrictions on transactions with Iran's Central Bank, in response to the country's continuing nuclear weapons program. 

"The latest E.U. sanctions demonstrate strong leadership and a determination to take meaningful steps against Iran," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "These restrictions will not only economically impact Iran, but also signal that oil embargoes are not hypothetical threats and are not limited to the U.S. When combined with the recent U.S. sanctions on foreign companies dealing with Iran's Central Bank, the regime's clearinghouse for oil transactions, the targeting of Iran's oil has moved from plan to action."

In a letter to Catherine Ashton, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, ADL praised the E.U. for setting an example that will hopefully "inspire other major purchasers of Iranian oil to act responsibly by contributing to the campaign against Iranian nuclear weapons."

The oil embargo is scheduled to be fully enforced by July 1.