US sanctions five Iranian groups over nuclear work

Washington/Tehran: The US Treasury on Tuesday said it imposed sanctions against five more Iranian entities it claims have provided support or materials to Iran's nuclear and missile programmes.

The Treasury said the entities, designated as weapons of mass destruction proliferators, are controlled by or acting on behalf of previously blacklisted Iranian entities responsible for uranium enrichment, nuclear development work and ballistic missile programmes.

Added to the Treasury's sanctions list were the Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine at Karaj, the Eshfahan Nuclear Fuel Research and Production Centre, Jabber Bin Hayan, Safety Equipment Procurement Co and Joza Industrial Co. The move bans Americans from doing business with these entities and freezes any assets they may have under US jursidiction.

Meanwhile, Iranian state radio, quoting the country's defence minister, said Iran's military capabilities 'increased remarkably' after the construction of a new submarine.

General Mustafa Mohammad Najjar says the submarine is 'smart,' unmanned and has radar-evading capabilities.

Leader opinion: 'Resistance pays off'

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that resistance by nations against major world powers pays off, state television reported.

"People and their government's resistance and their demanding their rights will bear fruit," Khamenei said during a meeting with visiting Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

"The Iranian nation and government achieved all the progress they have despite pressures, sanctions, and threats by the domineering powers," Khamenei said.