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WASHINGTON, Nov. 6-- The United States on Monday officially slapped sanctions on Iran's oil exports and banking industries, a tough move that has ratcheted up pressure on Iran while meeting with strong oppositions. The latest sanctions by the Trump administration was the second batch of its kind after the United States announced its withdrawal from the 2017 Iran nuclear deal in May, signaling the revival of all sanction measures that had previously been lifted under the landmark pact. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters at a press conference on Monday morning that the newly added sanctions, which have been strongly opposed by Iran, will curb Tehran's energy, banking, shipping and shipbuilding industries. Washington saw the new move in coherence with its campaign to continue impeding Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile development as well as restraining its "malign activities" in the Middle East. "We hope a new agreement with Iran is possible, but until Iran makes changes in the 12 ways that I listed in May, we will be relentless in exerting pressure on the regime," said Pompeo. The U.S. Treasury announced in a statement on Monday that more than 700 Iran-related individuals, entities, aircraft and vessels were added to its blacklist as part of the move. The designated targets include 50 Iranian banks and their subsidiaries, over 200 persons and vessels in Iran's shipping and energy sectors, one Iranian airline and more than 65 of its aircraft, according to the statement. | 
