New sanctions on Iran

WASHINGTON – Congress has overwhelmingly approved tough new sanctions against Iran, sending a message to Tehran that its suspected pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability will not come without an economic price.

The Senate and House acted in quick succession to agree to the new penalties targeting Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and the Middle East nation’s imports of gas and other refined energy products.

President Barack Obama is expected to quickly sign the bill into law.

The action comes after a year in which the diplomatic efforts by the Obama administration to persuade Iran to change its nuclear policies have made little headway. It also comes two weeks after the United Nations approved a new round of sanctions against Iran.