US slaps unilateral sanctions on Iran

The US Congress has voted in favor of new unilateral sanctions on Iran’s energy and banking sectors over the country’s civilian nuclear program.

Described by US Capitol Hill members as “the toughest unilateral sanctions ever,” the new economic and energy access restrictions target Iran’s fuel imports and international financial transactions, AFP reported on Thursday.

The legislation has been forwarded to the White House for US President Barack Obama to sign it into law.

The bill will deny firms that supply the Islamic Republic with refined petroleum products access to US markets.

This comes as American officials say Iran has reduced its dependence on fuel imports by changing consumption patterns. They say only a quarter of the gasoline consumed in the country is now being imported, which is a drop from earlier estimates of 40 percent.

The US president had, in a mid-March speech, said thwarting Iran’s nuclear energy program was among one of his “highest priorities,” warning that the US will pursue “aggressive sanctions” against the Islamic Republic.

The new sanctions have been approved over Iran’s uranium enrichment– portrayed as a threat in the West despite repeated assurances from the International Atomic Energy Agency on the non-diversion of nuclear material in the country.

The sanctions have been ratified despite Iran’s recent diplomatic efforts to help resolve the standoff with the West over its civilian nuclear program.

Last month, Iran issued a declaration with Turkey and Brazil in order to send some 1,200 kg of low-enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for a total of 120 kg of higher enriched uranium to be used in the Tehran research reactor, which produces medical isotopes for cancer patients.

The effort was meant to diffuse the Western-triggered tension over the country’s nuclear energy program.