US ramps up sanctions on Iran

The United States instituted fresh sanctions on Iran Thursday as Washington continues to pressure Tehran on its disputed nuclear programme, dpa reported.

The US Treasury Department said it was targeting 11 entities and four individuals for ties to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile proliferation networks led by Iran's Ministry of Defence for Armed Forces Logistics and Aerospace Industries Organization.

It also named a series of Iranian banks and front companies, including firms based in Hong Kong and Malaysia, to prevent the violation of sanctions on oil trade with Iran.

The sanctions prohibit US citizens from doing business with the organizations, and all of the entities' assets in the US are frozen.

Western countries have stepped up sanctions on Iran in recent months, including a US move that went into effect last month to target international entities doing business with Iran's oil sector.

Iran says its nuclear programme is intended only for peaceful purposes, but the international community suspects the regime is developing nuclear weapons.


/Trend/