Australia imposes sanctions on Iranian firms

Canberra: Australia has announced new sanctions against two Iranian companies and a general in protest against Tehran's nuclear programme.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told Parliament on Tuesday the new sanctions were in addition to those adopted by the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday last week.

The targeted individual is Gen. Rostam Qasemi, commander of Khatem Al Anbiya Construction Organization, a company owned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and listed in the latest UN sanctions.

Smith says Qasemi and two companies - Bank Mellat and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Line - "assist Iran to violate its obligations" under UN resolutions.