WASHINGTON (JTA) — The European Union expanded its sanctions against Syria and Iran.
The new sanctions imposed Monday target Syrian leader Bashar Assad and other top Syrian officials, and designate an additional 100 Iranian individuals and entities believed to be fronting for Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
There has been a push to isolate Syria in the wake of its brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. The Obama administration last week expanded its sanctions to include Assad, his top deputies and entities owned by the Syrian government.
The White House and Jewish groups praised the EU’s new sanctions.
"So long as Iran refuses to fulfill its international obligations, the international community will respond by continuing to hold Iran accountable, implement fully all U.N. Security Council resolutions, and aggressively counter Iranian proliferation activities," a White House statement said.
The American Jewish Committee said the new sanctions show "that stopping Iran’s nuclear program remains of paramount importance."
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