United States says risks remain for those considering doing business with Iran

LONDON – The United States on Tuesday welcomed reports that the European Union was considering new sanctions on Iran and said risks remained for those who were pondering doing business with the Islamic Republic.

"There continue to be ongoing risks with doing business there because the Iranians have not reformed their system," Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Sigal Mandelker said.

Mandelker, speaking in London, said Iran was using money to support Hezbollah, Hamas and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. She said there was no transparency in the Iranian banking system.

"The onus of responsibility lies in Iran and we're going to continue to highlight the risks of doing business there because they haven't taken the actions that they have promised they would take," she said.

Mandelker also said she would be discussing with European allies how to disrupt North Korean efforts to evade sanctions.

She added that she looked forward to continued close working with Britain on sanctions against Russia.