U.S. President Barack Obama has extended the U.S national emergency with respect to Iran, declared on March 15, 1995, by one more year, Radio Free Europe reported.
Obama said in a notice that "because the actions of the government of Iran continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States," the national emergency must continue in effect beyond March 15, 2012.
Since November, the U.S. administration's policy of applying pressure to compel Iran to negotiate has rushed instead toward conflict.
A worrying International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran's nuclear activity in that month prompted a new round of crippling sanctions against Iran's central bank and oil industry.
Iran responded by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz and cut off oil sales to parts of Europe.
The U.S. and Iran have been at odds over a number of issues, including Iran's sensitive nuclear work. Washington broke ties with Tehran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Edited by: S. Isayev