Washington, Tuesday, February 7, 2012: In a move bound to rattle Tehran, US President Barack Obama had issued an executive order blocking property of the Iranian government and its financial institutions in America.

In a communique to the US Congress, Obama said his administration feels additional sanctions are needed on Iran in light of the “deceptive practices” of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks to conceal transactions of sanctioned parties.

Obama said he has determined that there are deficiencies in Iran’s anti-money laundering regime and the weaknesses in its implementation and continuing and unacceptable risk posed to the international financial system by Iran’s activities.

As such Obama said he has signed an executive order that blocks the property and interest in property of the Government of Iran, the Central Bank of Iran and its other financial institutions.

(News agency)