Washington imposes new sanctions on Iranians over nuclear program

Washington has imposed new sanctions on Iranian individuals, corporations and foundations allegedly linked to the nuclear program, statements by the US government said Friday.

The statements, issued simultaneously by the White House, the State Department and Treasury Department, confirmed that Washington will continue to seek a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear program through negotiations between major countries and Iran.

The Treasury Department pointed out that the sanctions would target individuals and entities working under the supervision of Iranian authorities involved in the nuclear and missile programs. The sanctions, the statement said, aim at preventing any evasion of international sanctions and countering terrorism.

A spokeswoman of the US National Security Agency, Caitlin Hayden, said that the sanctions put forward by the Treasury and State Departments aim at maintaining pressures on the Iranian government. She pointed out, however, that the sanctions do not affect the US’s commitment to work with its 5+1 group to reach a lasting solution that would guarantee the peaceful nature of Iranian nuclear programs.