The Swiss government approved on Wednesday the introduction of further United Nations sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, ATS Swiss Telegraph Agency reported.

On June 9, the UN Security Council approved a fourth round of sanctions, including tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo, as well as an asset ban on three dozen companies and a travel freeze on individuals.

Later, the United States and the EU imposed extra unilateral sanctions against Iran, including tougher restrictions on the energy sector and a tougher trade embargo.

Since the end of June, Switzerland has denied visas to 36 Iranian citizens and frozen the accounts of 40 Iranian companies in Swiss banks.

Currently over 1.5 million Swiss francs (about $1,440,000) are frozen in Swiss banks over the Iranian sanctions.

From Thursday, Switzerland will block both the export of heavy weapons to Iran and the financing of any purchases of such equipment. The swiss.info website said Switzerland had not supplied any arms to Iran for some time.

Western powers suspect Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons under the guise of civilian nuclear power generation, a charge Tehran denies.

PARIS, August 18 (RIA Novosti)