On Thursday, July 12, 2012, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a press release announcing additional sanctions against the Government of Iran and its Proliferation Networks, as well as additional steps that are being taken to prevent the evasion of sanctions by a publicly identified group of Iranian companies and banks. The purpose of these new sanctions is both to disrupt Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and to put a stop to Iran's efforts to use front companies to sell and move its oil.

According to the press release, "these actions are part of the United States government’s dual-track approach of increasing pressure to convince Iran to engage seriously and address the international community’s concerns about its nuclear program."

In addition, the DOS issued a Fact Sheet in which they published detailed information on 11 new Iranian parties that are designated as part of the proliferation network of nuclear and missile, as well as a number of Iranian front companies, ships and banks that are owned or controlled, or acting for or on behalf of, the Government of Iran.

View full text of the Press Release and the Fact Sheet online.