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2nd LD Writethru: U.S. imposes new sanctions on Iran

Xinhua, January 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United States announced on Sunday new sanctions relating to Iran's ballistic missile program, a day after the Obama administration lifted sanctions on Iran's nuclear program.

Six Iranian nationals and 11 companies were added to an American blacklist, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

"This action is consistent with the U.S. government's commitment to continue targeting those who assist in Iran's efforts to procure items for its ballistic missile program," said the statement.

Adam Szubin, acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said "We have consistently made clear that the United States will vigorously press sanctions against Iranian activities outside of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- including those related to Iran's support for terrorism, regional destabilization, human rights abuses, and ballistic missile program."

U.S. President Barack Obama said in a speech on Sunday that the U.S. will impose new sanctions if Tehran continues missile program implementation.

On Saturday, Obama signed an executive order to lift sanctions on Iran related to its nuclear program, the White House said.

"Iran's implementation of the nuclear-related measures ..., as verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency, marks a fundamental shift in circumstances with respect to Iran's nuclear program," Obama said in the executive order issued by the White House.

Obama's decision came after the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran's compliance of the historic nuclear deal, known as JCPOA, reached last summer. Enditem