US expands sanctions on Iran, targeting oil and media

The US has tightened existing sanctions on Iran, in an effort to push Tehran to abandon its alleged nuclear weapons programme.

The measures further restrict Iran's access to its own oil revenues but also include financial restrictions against Iran's state-run media.

The sanctions are coming into effect under the terms of a bill passed by Congress six months ago.

International talks on Iran's nuclear programme are due later this month.

Any money Iran now makes from the sale of oil to nine countries currently granted American waivers, including China, India and Turkey, must now be credited to an account in those countries and not repatriated to Iran.

Under the sanctions, the money can only be used by Iran to purchase goods from those countries.