US imposes sanctions on 21 'Iran-backed' firms

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 21 firms it believes are front companies for the Iranian government, stepping up pressure on the Islamic republic over its nuclear program.
Accusing Tehran of trying to dodge sanctions by setting up opaque trading companies, the Treasury Department named a host of banking, mining and other companies spread throughout Europe and Japan as government-backedhttp://www.spacewar.com/reports/US_imposes_sanctions_on_21_Iran-backed_firms_999.html

Related articles by Zemanta

• US imposes sanctions on 21 'Iran-backed' firms (alternet.org)
• U.S. ramps up sanctions against Iran (cnn.com)