Maloney, now at the Brookings Institution's Saban Center for Middle East Policy, said Europeans have been reluctant to adopt sanctions, especially ones that are written into law and can't be quickly reversed.
"You always inevitably get a lot of talk," she said. "But when push comes to shove, they don't take such steps."
The Iranian government did not comment on the new U.S. steps Thursday. But Western diplomats and Iranian businessmen acknowledge that U.S. restrictions already in place on banking with Iran have become a major inconvenience, although perhaps for the wrong people.
Wire transfers and letters of credit used in the import-export business have become difficult as international banks shy away from doing business with Iran.
Diplomats say that some Western embassies in Tehran now pay staffers and other expenses by bringing bundles of hundred-dollar bills into the country.
Without international support, unilateral U.S. sanctions won't have much impact, experts say. Companies such as French oil behemoth Total continue huge oil exploration projects in Iran. Renault, Peugeot and BMW continue automotive joint ventures.
As Rice detailed the sanctions, Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, said that intermittent meetings in Baghdad between U.S. and Iranian officials probably would proceed. He and his Iranian counterpart have met twice, and Crocker said he expected another session "at some point."
Crocker said Iran may have played a positive role in the recent reduction in Shiite Muslim militant activities in Iraq, including by militias affiliated with radical cleric Muqtada Sadr, but that he could not be sure.
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paul.richter@latimes.com
Times staff writers Borzou Daragahi in Beirut, Ned Parker in Baghdad and Kim Murphy in London contributed to this report.
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
Additional targets of sanctions
The U.S. Treasury Department released an extensive list of Iranian companies and government agencies affected by the new sanctions. They include:
* The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics. It controls the Defense Industries Organization.
* Bank Saderat Iran, its branches and subsidiaries.
* Bank Melli Iran, its branches and subsidiaries.
* Bank Mellat, its branches and subsidiaries.
The full list is available at http://treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/bulletin.txt.
Source: Associated Press
