The White House said it was imposing sanctions on all trade of Iran's iron, steel, aluminum and copper, the country's biggest export after oil, AFP reported Wednesday (May 8th).
"Today's action targets Iran's revenue from the export of industrial metals -- 10% of its export economy -- and puts other nations on notice that allowing Iranian steel and other metals into your ports will no longer be tolerated," US President Donald Trump said in a statement.
"Tehran can expect further actions unless it fundamentally alters its conduct," he said.
Revenue from these sectors may be used to provide funding and support for the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorist groups and networks, campaigns of regional aggression and military expansion, the White House said.
