European Union foreign ministers and Canada approved a package of stiffer economic sanctions against Iran.

The EU sanctions approved Monday in Brussels are similar to the new U.S. sanctions imposed last month. They target Iran’s petroleum, banking, shipping, insurance and transportation industries as well as nuclear-related industries. The EU sanctions are scheduled to go into effect immediately, according to the Washington Post.

The Obama administration had exerted pressure on the EU to put new sanctions into effect.

New sanctions targeting third parties that deal with Iran’s energy and finance sectors, as well as human rights abusers, were approved by the U.S. Congress last month.

The Canadian government’s sanctions, also announced Monday, include a ban on new investment in the oil and gas sector, and restrictions on exporting goods that could be used in its nuclear program.

B’nai Brith Canada commended the Harper government.

“To avoid the military option against the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons program, Canada and her allies need to do everything in their power to sanction and isolate Iran,” said Frank Dimant, the group’s executive vice president, in a statement. “Targeting Iran’s most important lifeline, its oil and gas industries, as the Canadian Government has done, is a very welcome development.

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