The US administration appears to have successfully sidelined European opposition to the imposition of sanctions on Iran.

Most European officials have privately admitted that they can do almost nothing to shield the Iranian economy from the comprehensive sanctions which the United States imposed on Monday despite the joint statement by the governments of Britain, Germany and France as well as EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini vowing to maintain "effective financial channels with Iran" to ensure "the continuation of Iran's export of oil and gas".