The European Union, which is poised to slap sanctions on dozens of Iranian companies and individuals, remains split over targeting the country's oil sector, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.
The development came as Britain said it was evacuating all its diplomatic staff from Iran following the storming of its embassy by protesters the day before. Foreign Minister William Hague also announced that all Iranian diplomatic staff would be expelled from the UK.
The Dutch and French foreign ministries on Wednesday said they were recalling their ambassadors to Iran for "consultations".
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Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal of "recalled the Tehran ambassador for consultations. The reason is the violent assault on the British embassy and diplomatic compound yesterday in Tehran", the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The step was taken to show solidarity with Britain, the statement said, noting that the ambassador would be brought back as quickly as possible.
Asfor further sanctions, With Spain, Greece and Italy significantly dependent on oil from Iran, "there will be no oil sanctions against Tehran" announced at talks Thursday between the EU's 27 foreign ministers, an EU diplomat said.
The ministers are expected to agree an assets freeze and travel ban on an extra 143 Iranian companies and 37 people while calling for a resumption of global talks on Iran's contested nuclear programme.
"France, Germany and Britain are in favour of oil sanctions," said another diplomatic source "but there is no agreement between the 27".
"Oil imports is quite often a national interest of great importance because some member states do import a lot of oil from Iran," said the source.
EU data shows oil imports of crude oil from Iran in 2010 amounting to 5.8 percent of total EU imports, making the country the fifth supplier at the time after Russia, Norway, Libya and Saudi Arabaia.
Of that total, Spain accounted for 14.6 percent, Greece for 14 and Italy for 13.1 percent.
EU diplomats said cash-strapped Greece led opposition to an oil embargo, with one source adding: "Iran sells them on credit which is a considerable advantage in these times."
Iran on Wednesday warned that it will take measures against Britain after its decision to close the Islamic republic's embassy in London, a foreign ministry spokesman said.
BRITAIN 'HASTY'
"The British government's asking Iranian diplomats in London to leave this country is a passive and hasty action," the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in statements emailed to AFP.
"Obviously the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran will take reciprocal action in this regard and holds the British government responsible for protecting the diplomatic properties and belongings in London," he added.
"What happened at the British embassy in Tehran was unpredictable. It occured due to the anger of some demonstrators over Britain's policies regarding the Islamic republic," Mehmanparast said.
He noted that none of the British diplomats were hurt and said the judiciary was "dealing" with the "violators."
