USA imposes its own sanctions on Iran

In addition to two sets of UnitedNations sanctions applied in December 2006, the USA has 'designated'further Iranian organisations and citizens that US citizens andcompanies may not do business with. Secretary of state Condoleezza Ricesaid that Bank Melli, Bank Mellat and the Islamic Revolutionary GuardCorps (IGRC) were considered to be involved in proliferation. Ricerepeated US concerns that Iran's nuclear research programs may not beentirely peaceful and said that the USA had previously offered supportfor the Iranian nuclear power program if only it would give up pursuitof the nuclear fuel cycle. She said to Iranians: "We want you to haveevery opportunity to develop and prosper in dignity, including thepeaceful use of nuclear power." Rice continued: "If the Iraniangovernment fulfills its international obligation to suspend its uraniumenrichment and reprocessing activities, I will join my British, French,Russian, Chinese and German colleagues and I will meet with my Iraniancounterpart anytime, anywhere. We will be open to the discussion of anyissue." The US move comes two days after a meeting between Iran's newnuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, and the EU's foreign policy chiefJavier Solana. Other organisations on the US blacklist were BankSaderat and the Quds force of the IGRC, both designated on grounds ofinvolvement in terrorism. Any funds held by the designatedorganisations in US banks were to be frozen immediately.