[Beirut Daily Star] European Union...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
governments imposed sanctions Tuesday against major Iranian state companies in the oil and gas industry and strengthened restrictions on the central bank, cranking up financial pressure over Tehran's nuclear program.
Iran's supreme leader said his country would not give in to "bullying," as China opposed the move and Israel welcomed it.
More than 30 firms and institutions were listed in the EU's Official Journal as targets for asset freezes in the EU, including the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), a large crude exporter, and the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC).
Both are vital to the Iranian oil industry, the main source of revenue.