Obama tightens penalties on Iran, Syria regimes for avoiding American-mandated sanctions

President Obama speaks during a news conference April 30, 2012, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. / AP Photo

Updated at 4:31 p.m. ET

(AP) WASHINGTON - President Obama is tightening penalties on foreign entities and individuals who try to evade sanctions on Iran and Syria.

Mr. Obama authorized the penalties in an executive order signed Tuesday. The administration said he took the step in response to efforts by the Iranian and Syrian governments to avoid the consequences of U.S.-mandated sanctions.

The executive order gives the Treasury Department the capability to publicly identify foreign individuals and entities that try to sidestep the restrictions. The new penalties also bar violators from accessing the U.S. financial and commercial systems.

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The administration said that as the U.S. and other countries have increased sanctions pressures on Iran and Syria, both countries have sought to use non-bank financial institutions and other alternative methods to transmit funds and make payments.

David Cohen, Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said that the executive order will provide another tool for the administration to impose "serious consequences on foreign persons who seek to evade our sanctions and undermine international efforts" to bring pressure on the governments of Iran and Syria.

Cohen said the executive order was needed to better reach third parties that Iran and Syria may be trying to enlist in efforts to get around the current sanctions.

Treasury said in a fact sheet that the executive order also would help to ensure that U.S. citizens did not unwittingly engage in transactions with foreign groups trying to help the two nations.

The sanctions imposed against Iran are aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The sanctions against Syria are aimed at forcing Syrian President Bashar Assad to end more than a year of deadly violence in that country.

[GT1085527]

**** obama.

[1988JAck]

Great President. Thank you.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

Tighten the screws.......

[smittyc]

Well folks, gas price at the pump is trending up again. Thanks a lot Obama. Ironically, Iran and Syria have signed oil contracts with China due to our middle east policies and China is getting cheap prices while we are getting screwed.

[FormerUSMCSergeant]

If the U.S. were ever to stop being Israel's 800-pound trained gorilla and really do something about making Israel sit down in good faith and find peace, just think what that would do to the price of gas...and restore our national dignity again as well.

[askagain]

The Middle East could be a great place if the Muslim countries were as well behaved as Israel. Somehow, Israel survives in spite of being surrounded by hostile enemies. Israel's best weapon might be the lunatics in the Middle East who can't get along.

[LtSmily]

Huh? What's that? Election around the corner? Crap, better find a way to look tough and try to capture some Independents and swing States since I have nothing honest or successful to run a campaign on. Oh Yeah, tell Karzai I'm on my way as well and that he will get what I promised to him and the Taliban as soon as I get reelected.
Sincerely, King of the World Baby!!!

[Bulldozer-Shaz]

Really ...Go ahead puppet ...Few months more to go ...

[thechooch1]

So who is going to be our President? Mitt? Not a dogs chance.