A trip by US Treasury's sanctions chief to Israel, Russia and Britain in a week comes as Washington and European allies strive to punish the Damascus regime for bloody attacks on rebels and civilians and also try to press Tehran into giving up its alleged nuclear weapons program.
Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David Cohen's June 3-8 trip "will focus on the implementation of US and international sanctions against Iran and Syria," the Treasury said in a statement.
Cohen will brief counterparts on the powers Washington has to expand sanctions on Iran and Syria, as well as the Treasury's recent move against Syria International Islamic Bank.
On Wednesday the Treasury slapped sanctions on the partially Qatari-controlled SIIB, accusing it of helping the regime of President Bashar al-Assad skirt sanctions placed on the country's leading bank.
"Today's action will add to the economic pressure on the Assad regime by closing off a key evasion route," Cohen said.
Washington is especially worried that Russia remains an avenue of support for the Assad regime.
Russia has remained reluctant for months to join a broad crackdown on its old ally over Assad's brutal offensive against what began as a peaceful resistance movement against his regime.
Cohen said Wednesday that the US remains concerned over any possible financial links between Moscow and Damascus.
"I think we share with Russia the ultimate goal here, which is a... transition with Assad no longer remaining in power," Cohen told reporters in Washington.
However, he said, "there are differences in our approach and the Russian approach, and I think that's (a reason why) there may be some financial relationships between Syria and Russia. To the extent those exist, that would be of concern."
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