International sanctions will "intensify" on crisis-hit Iran unless it responds to international concerns about its nuclear programme, a US official warned on Wednesday, DPA reported.
A tightening of restrictive measures over the past year have isolated Iran's economy from the rest of the world, leading to a steep devalution of its currency, the rial, and causing a serious economic crisis.
"The value of the rial is under pressure and will remain under pressure as long as the sanctions remain in place," David Cohen, US Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said during a visit to Rome.
"The sanctions will remain in place and intensify so as Iran refuses to engage meaningfully about its nuclear programme," Cohen warned.
"Until that occurs, Iran is going to face additional measures," he insisted.
Cohen rejected suggestions that the United States or the European Union should be blamed for causing sufferings to ordinary Iranians through their sanctions regimes.
"Any impact that is felt in the Iranian population at large from the sanctions is entirely the result of choices made by the Iranian government," Cohen said.