Kenneth R. Timmerman, News Max
WASHINGTON — As bargaining continues at the United Nations Security Council over a new sanctions resolution on Iran, top officials from the Treasury and State Departments revealed yesterday that they have won support behind the scenes for even harsher measures intended to isolate Iran and force its leaders to back off from developing nuclear weapons.
[News Item: Ahmadinejad cancels trip to UN]
The U.S. has been working with its allies overseas to impose “new targeted sanctions,” directed at “individual bad actors,” Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey told the Senate Banking committee on Wednesday.
The U.S.-backed measures are aimed at “specific individuals, key members of the [Iranian] government, front companies, and financial institutions,” Levey said. “Some require financial institutions to freeze funds and close the accounts of designated actors.” Others include “bans on travel or arms transfers.” CONTINUE
The capture of 15 British soldiers by Iran may help adjust EU attitudes a little.