The United States on Thursday announced sanctions against Iran's Intelligence and Security Ministry, citing its support of terrorist groups, human rights abuses in the country and support of the Syrian regime, DPA reported.
The move blocks any property or interests of the ministry in the US or in control of US persons and prohibits Americans from engaging in transactions with it.
"Today we have designated the (ministry) for abusing the basic human rights of Iranian citizens and exporting its vicious practices to support the Syrian regime's abhorrent crackdown on its own population," said David S Cohen, the Treasury Department's under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
He pointed to the ministry's support for al-Qaeda and its affiliates, Hezbollah and Hamas.
The US and European Union have ramped up sanctions on Tehran in recent weeks over concerns about its nuclear programme.
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