Washington (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday authorized new targeted sanctions on Iran, including the energy and petrochemical sectors in the Islamic republic.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner unveiled the new measures shortly at the State Department.

The United States warned on Monday of the threats to governments or financial institutions that do business with Iranian banks, but stopped short of imposing sanctions on the banking sector in the Islamic republic.

U.S. President Barack Obama said that it is the first time that the U.S. has ever identified the entire Iranian banking sector as a threat.

Clinton on Monday announced additional sanctions on Iran, targeting its energy and financial sectors. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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