EU foreign ministers on Monday approved tighter sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, most of which are expected to come into force on Tuesday.

The sanctions, which include new restrictions on foreign trade, financial services and the oil and gas sectors, come a month after the adoption of UN sanctions on Iran on June 9.

The UN sanctions include financial controls and an expanded arms embargo, as well as an asset ban on three dozen companies and a travel freeze on individuals.

The EU sanctions go further than the UN sanctions, which were softened to secure support of veto-wielding members Russia and China, and are designed to prevent EU firms investing in Iran's energy sector.

The sanctions ban the export to Iran of key equipment and technology for the production and refining of natural gas. Ships suspected of carrying illegal material will be inspected and over 40 individuals and more than 50 companies will be blacklisted.

Western powers suspect Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons under the guise of civilian nuclear power generation.

Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has long opposed sanctions against the Islamic Republic, saying that the issue should be resolved through diplomatic means.

However, Moscow finally approved the UN sanctions after Iran failed to prove the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities.

BRUSSELS, July 26 (RIA Novosti)