US slaps sanctions on Iran

The United States has slapped new sanctions on Iran in a bid to halt its nuclear program.An official said in total Washington had enforced sanctions on more than 20 Iranian companies, banks and individuals as well as the defence ministry.The Bush administration had been considering new measures for months but there had been bureaucratic infighting over when and how far to go with the sanctions.It is the first time the United States has sought to take such punitive measures against another country's military.A senior Bush administration official said: "This is a very substantial measure taken by the administration."We have decided to take this measure as we believe that Iran is continuing its proliferation and its terrorism activities."The US has also accused Iran's elite Qods force of arming and training militants in Iraq.But Tehran has hit back and claims that Washington has destabilised Iraq.Britain said it backed Washington's decision to impose new sanctions on Iran and vowed to take the lead in pulling together a third round of United Nations Security Council sanctions."We endorse the US administration's efforts to apply further pressure on the Iranian regime," a Foreign Office spokesman said."We are prepared to lead the way to a third resolution of sanctions and at the same time support tougher European Union sanctions."© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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ITN | October 25, 2007

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