US cracks down on companies evading Iran sanctions

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is targeting several companies and individuals for evading international sanctions against Iran and for providing support for Iran’s nuclear program.

The Treasury and State departments announced Thursday they are freezing assets and banning transactions of entities they say are involved in the proliferation of material used for making weapons of mass destruction — and who are attempting to evade sanctions.

The U.S. and five other world powers recently signed a first-step agreement with Iran that is aimed at halting any progress by Tehran toward developing a nuclear weapon. U.S. lawmakers want to stiffen economic sanctions against Iran itself, but the administration is asking Congress to give diplomacy a chance to reach a comprehensive agreement with Iran.