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Barack Obama extends sanctions against Iran

13 March 2009 07:50 (UTC +04:00)

"The actions and policies of the Government of Iran are contrary to the interests of the United States in the region and pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat" to US national security and the US economy, Obama said in a message to Congress. The sanctions, imposed in 1995 over claims Tehran dealt in terrorism and sought weapons of mass destruction and prohibited US companies aiding the development of the Iranian oil industry and halting trade, export/import and investment ties with Iran, were imposed by the Clinton administration and have been extended on an annual basis by successive presidents.
They would have expired without Obama’s formal action to extend them.
The sanctions are one portion of the large range of punitive US, United Nations and international measures imposed against Iran, for various reasons, including its alleged backing for terrorism and nuclear drive.