The latest sanctions, announced on Aug. 4, did not target Syria's
energy sector despite calls by Congress.
A letter by several senators asserted that a fuel embargo on Syria and blocking foreign contractors would
significantly harm the Assad regime, Middle East Newsline reported.
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"What's important is that we continue to build the pressure," State
Department spokesman Mark Toner said. "We're looking at sanctions,
additional sanctions and measures we can take in the days coming. And we're
going to continue to look at additional measures we can take that apply that
pressure."
The administration of President Barack Obama has imposed sanctions on
members of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. They included Assad
confidante and Syrian parliamentarian Mohammed Hamsho and his company. The
Hamsho International Group was said to hold 20 subsidiaries, including
telecommunications, hotels and construction.