Oil prices on international markets rose on news of the EU agreement. "We have an [EU] foreign ministers' meeting on January 30, and on this occasion I hope we will be able to take the decision on the embargo of oil and petrol from Iran", said French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe.
"We have to reassure some of our European partners who purchase Iranian oil. We have to provide them with alternative solutions", he added.
On Tuesday France had called for "stricter sanctions" on Iran. However, even if sanctions are adopted at the end of the month, it may be several months before they are implemented.
