Spokesman: U.S. "absolutely committed" to diplomacy with Iran

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Friday that it is "absolutely" committed to diplomacy with Iran after the Bush administration tightened financial sanctions against the Islamic republic.

"We are absolutely committed to a diplomatic process. We will never take options off the table but the diplomatic process is what we want," White House spokesman Tony Fratto told reporters.

"We are going to take what bilateral measures we can take to be effective, we are going to work in a multinational way to be effective with Iran."

The United States announced on Thursday that it is imposing new sanctions against Iran's defense ministry and its Revolutionary Guard Corps for their alleged support for terrorist organizations in Iraq and the Middle East, missile sales and nuclear activities.

The latest sanctions, also covering more than 20 Iranian companies, banks and individuals, were apparently intended to pressure Iran to halt its nuclear program as well.

The sanctions are believed to be the toughest Washington has levied against Tehran since the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy there.

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, joined at a State Department news conference by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, described the U.S. sanctions as "a comprehensive policy to confront the threatening behavior of the Iranians."

They will "provide a powerful deterrent" for companies in the United States and abroad to sever business relationships with Iran.

Despite the tougher action against Iran, Rice insisted that the United States remains open to "a diplomatic solution."