Iran Deal: EU to shield EU companies from re-imposed US sanctions

"In addition to shielding EU companies, the Blocking Statute forbids EU persons from complying with the US sanctions, unless exceptionally authorised to do so by the European Commission."

This, it would seem, will put many companies in a catch-22. They can comply with the sanctions -- and be in violation of EU law. Or they can ignore the sanctions -- and risk court action in the US, up to and including arrest.

The statute builds on a previous resolution re. the Cuba sanctions, which didn't have catastrophic consequences -- but this one is significantly broader. We will see, I suppose, how much the escape clause gets used. Either way this exemplifies a continuing worsening of US-EU relations.