US imposes more sanctions on Iranian individuals, companies

The Treasury Department said on Friday that the sanctions’ targets include shipping firms, oil companies, airlines and six Iranian banks.

The Treasury Department also blatantly accused the Iranian businesses and individuals of ‘supporting terrorism’ and trying to evade previous sanctions.

Despite the additional measures, the White House National Security Council (NSC) on Friday reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to working with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany in seeking a comprehensive deal with Tehran over its nuclear energy program.

“Just as we announced these measures and continue to enforce pre-existing sanctions on Iran, the United States remains committed to working with our P5+1 partners toward a long-term, comprehensive solution that provides confidence that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful,” said Caitlin Hayden, the NSC spokeswoman.

The new sanctions come as Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany are in talks to reach a final agreement aimed at resolving the standoff over Tehran’s civilian nuclear work.

The two sides signed a historic interim deal in Geneva last November. The agreement entered into force on January 20 and expired six months later. In July, Tehran and the six states agreed to extend their discussions until November 24 in a bid to work out a final accord.

Iran has previously slammed similar sanctions stating that the measures are contrary to the spirit of ongoing negotiations.

Tehran calls anti-Iran sanctions illegal and wants them to be lifted as part of a final nuclear agreement.