WASHINGTON (Wall Street Journal) —The U.S. targeted multiple finance and trading firms with links to Iran for evading American sanctions against the country and aiding its nuclear and missile programs, the Treasury Department said Thursday.
The sanctions come as several countries work with Iran to address its nuclear program. Later this month, Iran, the U.S. and other countries are set to begin negotiations on a comprehensive agreement to end the long-running dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program. The meetings come after talks late last year reached an interim agreement that froze the most advanced parts of the program in exchange for some easing of Western sanctions on Iran.
“The United States has made clear that as it implements the joint plan of action, contingent on Iran satisfying its own commitments, the overwhelming majority of sanctions remain in effect and will continue to be vigorously enforced,” Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen said in a written statement.
Sanctions prohibit transactions between those named Thursday and any U.S. citizen, and block access to the U.S. financial system.
