UK unveils tougher sanctions bill on Iran's nuclear program

Britain on Tuesday published legislation to introduce tougher sanctions on Iran, expanding trade restrictions and powers to target ships as part of what it described as a wider effort to curb Tehran's nuclear programme and other hostile activities.

The government said the measures would restrict Iran's access to the British financial system, broaden trade bans to include more goods, technology and services, and prohibit Iranian aircraft from landing in Britain unless exemptions apply.

The measures form part of plans the government announced last year following the reimposition of U.N. sanctions on Iran under a so-called snapback mechanism.

The British legislation, once approved by parliament, would restore a range of sectoral restrictions lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and further limit Iran's ability to raise funds and procure goods and technology linked to its nuclear programme.

Stephen Doughty, a Foreign Office minister, said in a written statement that the legislation "doubles down on our action to constrain Iran's nuclear ambitions" and would help ensure Iran was never able to acquire a nuclear weapon.

Iran's embassy in London did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Britain, France and Germany triggered the snapback process in August last year after saying Tehran had failed to address concerns about its nuclear programme, leading to the reimposition of U.N. sanctions and further British measures against individuals and entities linked to the programme.

The United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran in February partly due to concerns over Tehran's nuclear programme.

Iran says its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes. But Doughty said Iran had accumulated more than 400 kg (882 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity and was the only country without nuclear weapons to have enriched uranium to that level.

Doughty also said the measures would not affect Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas field, which helps supply European energy markets. The legislation includes licences allowing the BP-operated project to keep running despite an Iranian stake in the consortium. Britain said the carve-out would match similar exemptions used by the U.S. and EU.