Obama slaps new sanctions on Iran energy sector

Reuters, WASHINGTON | Mon Nov 21, 2011

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks

 at a bill signing ceremony promoting

jobs for veterans at the White House
in Washington November 21, 2011.

 (Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Monday ordered new U.S. sanctions on Iran's energy and petrochemical sectors that would punish anyone who helped Iran develop and expand its petroleum resources, the White House said.

The latest U.S. move seeks to step up pressure on Tehran after the U.N. nuclear watchdog highlighted fresh concerns about the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program.

The U.S. Treasury Department also planned to designate Iran as an area of "primary money laundering concern" on Monday, a U.S. official said.

(Reporting Matt Spetalnick, Alister Bull and by Jeff Mason)