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Obama administration places new sanctions on Iran

09 November 2012 09:16 (UTC +04:00)

The United States announced it had sanctioned four individuals and five entities for censorship, including jamming satellite broadcasts and blocking Internet access, in the first foreign policy move since Tuesdayâ€™s vote. Those designated include Tehranâ€™s Communication and Information Technology Minister Reza Taghipour, and its Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

â€œThese actions underscore the administrationâ€™s ongoing commitment to hold Iranian government officials and entities responsible for the abuses carried out against their own citizens,â€ State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

â€œWith the measures we are taking today, we draw the worldâ€™s attention to the scope of the regimeâ€™s insidious actions, which oppress its own people and violate Iranâ€™s own laws and international obligations,â€ she said.

While the Obama administration is indicating that sanctions will continue, it will also likely be making a major overture toward Iran to reinvigorate its diplomatic efforts, according to former White House Iran adviser Dennis Ross.