Iran Says New U.S. Sanctions 'Will Not Have Any Impact'

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast

Iran's Foreign Ministry has denounced as "psychological war" new U.S. sanctions against the Islamic republic imposed by President Barack Obama's administration.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast also told journalists that the U.S. "sanctions will not have any impact" on the course of Iran's nuclear program.

The spokesman added that the measures are an "antagonistic move" that continues a U.S. policy against Iran that "has been going on for over 30 years."

Obama's order extends sanctions to all Iranian banks and requires all finanicial institutions operating in the United States to freeze transactions suspected of having a link to Iran.

The move is aimed at pressuring Iran to halt work that could be diverted toward a nuclear weapon.

Iran denies trying to build an atomic weapon.

Compiled from agency reports