Switzerland freezes additional Iran assets

Switzerland ratcheted up sanctions against Iran on Thursday, announcing it was freezing the assets of 180 Iranian people and enterprises.

Many of the individuals and companies affected belong to Iran’s maritime transport sector, according to a list published by the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs.

The move echoes steps taken December 1 by the European Union, which has strengthened sanctions against Iran over the country’s nuclear programme.

Switzerland in November placed 116 names on its Iran sanctions list.

Iran’s nuclear programme is of extreme concern to many in the international community who accuse the country of developing nuclear weapons.