A Bulgarian child casts his parents vote for a referendum on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Bulgaria, Sofia, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. Bulgarians are voting in a referendum on whether a new nuclear power plant should be built in the European Union's poorest member country, a choice also seen as a barometer of the country's relationship with Russia. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)
Iran formally snubs EU after oil, gas bans
Published: 10:27:55 AM, Sun 27 January 2013 UTC
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran's oil ministry spokesman says all crude oil and gas exports have been banned to the 27-nation European Union, which has already imposed its own boycott on Iranian energy imports as part of sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program.
It is unclear what practical effect the Iranian decision would have. But Sunday's announcement by spokesman Ali Reza Nikzad Rahbar could be a symbolic act designed to reflect anger at Western unity over economic pressures on Iran.
The semiofficial Mehr news agency quotes Rahbar as saying the Iranian ban will remain as long as "hostile decisions" are made by the EU.
Before the EU bans last year, the bloc represented about 18 percent of Iran's oil sales.
The U.S. and allies fear Iran could seek a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran denies.
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