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US imposes further sanctions on Iran

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-04 01:35

WASHINGTON - The United States on Tuesday imposed further sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program by identifying 21 entities believed to be owned or controlled by the Iranian government.

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"By identifying these entities, including banks, investment companies and technology firms, US persons and others are better able to identify Iranian Government entities and protect themselves against the risks posed by such entities," said a statement by the US Treasury Department.

"As its isolation from the international financial and commercial systems increases, the Government of Iran will continue efforts to evade sanctions, including using government-owned entities around the world that are not easily identifiable as Iranian to facilitate transactions in support of their illicit activities," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey.

"Today's identifications will mitigate the risk that such entities pose to legitimate transactions," said Levey.