The Obama administration is considering "targeted sanctions" against the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad in response to a violent crackdown on protesters, the White House said on Monday.

"The brutal violence used by the government of Syria against its people is completely deplorable," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said. "The United States is pursuing a range of possible policy options, including targeted sanctions, to respond to the crackdown and make clear that this behavior is unacceptable."

A US official said earlier that the measures under consideration included a freeze on assets and a ban on U.S. business dealings.