US House approves tough new Iran sanctions

The US House of Representatives has approved tough new sanctions on Iran's oil sector and other industries.

The Obama administration fears the measures could undercut Iran's incoming, more moderate president ahead of new nuclear negotiations.

The bill makes no mention of Hassan Rouhani's recent win or his pledge to improve Iran's relations with the world.

It blacklists any business in Iran's mining and construction sectors and commits the US to the goal of ending all Iranian oil sales worldwide by 2015.

The US fears Iran is using its nuclear programme to develop weapons - an accusation Tehran firmly denies.