U.S. targets businesses for dodging sanctions against Iran

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Obama administration targeted a host of businesses across Europe and the Middle East on Thursday, Feb 6 for evading sanctions against Iran, a signal that Washington aims to keep pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program, Reuters reported.

The announcement marks the second time the United States has designated sanctions evaders since reaching an interim deal with Tehran in November.

Washington says it will continue to enforce existing sanctions until there is a more comprehensive deal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

"We strongly believe that sustaining sanctions pressure will be critical," a senior U.S. Treasury official told journalists by telephone.

Under that agreement between Iran and six major powers, including the United States, Tehran agreed to curb sensitive nuclear activities in exchange for some limited sanctions relief, including the transfer back to Iran of $4.2 billion in oil funds held abroad.

Top administration officials insisted to lawmakers in Senate testimony this week that Washington would continue to enforce its existing sanctions on Iran.

Concerned about trade delegations, such as a visit to Tehran this week by 100 business leaders from France's biggest firms, some members of Congress want the sanctions regime expanded despite the administration's objections.

Iran says that its nuclear program is peaceful and denies Western and Israeli accusations that it is seeking the means and expertise to assemble a nuclear warhead. It also maintains that it is Israel's reputed atomic arsenal that threatens peace.

The actions taken on Thursday prohibit companies and individuals from carrying out financial transactions under U.S. jurisdiction.