TOKYO: Japan decided on Friday to freeze the assets of more Iranian individuals and institutions in line with United Nations sanctions aimed at persuading Tehran to stop nuclear enrichment.

Fifteen Iranian individuals and 13 institutions designated by a UN resolution as being involved with Iran's nuclear programme will be added to a list of those whose assets have already been frozen, the government said. “We need to take strong measures given the need to maintain a non-proliferation framework, its ties to the North Korean nuclear issue and its impact on the stability of the Middle East,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told a news conference.

Japan will also freeze fresh grant aid or yen loans to Iran, except for humanitarian and development purposes, Shiozaki added.

Resource-poor Japan has found itself in a bind between the need to meet its energy requirements and its desire to stay in line with Washington, its closest security ally. But officials have said they would not allow Tehran to possess nuclear weapons nor compromise that position because of Iran's rich oil resources.--Reuters