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United States officials mentioned that new sanctions are being imposed against Iran by the Bush administration. These are aimed towards the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Quds Force that the U.S. officials have accused of provoking trouble and disorder in Iraq and other countries.

Officials who have chosen to remain anonymous mentioned that new steps on suppressing the nuclear plans of Iran were announced at the news conference, which took place at the State Department by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

Condoleezza Rice proposed to make the sanctions on Iran tougher. At the same time she mentioned that the activities performed in Iraq by the Quds Force "are inconsistent with the Iranian government's obligations and stated commitment to support the Iraqi government."

A quote, mentioned by New York Times and coming from a senior government official, said that the United States "will be freezing assets and there will be ripple effects of where we can go from there. This is going to be a broad and wide-ranging effort."

It is worth mentioning that until the announcement remains informal the officials are willing to remain anonymous.

The announced sanctions are to be unilateral and are also considered to be the first of their kind taken by U.S. particularly against other government's armed forces.

It is believed that the sanctions will allow the United States to provide a financial isolation on a significant part of Iran's armed forces and those that consider doing business with the country.

U.S. administration accuses the Quds Force, stating that the Quds Force did send fighters, deadly roadside bombs, as well as rockets with the aims of destroying the American troops. These accusations are, however, denied by Iran's officials.

U.S. officials ask American and European banks to stop doing business with Iranian banks, including Bank Sedarat, which is believed to provide financial help to guards' business operations.