Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner accused an Iranian bank and 22 energy and insurance companies today of "helping Iran finance nuclear and missile programs and to evade international sanctions."

Geithner banned American individuals and companies from doing business with companies identified as aiding Iran's nuclear program and ordered their U.S. assets frozen.

The U.S. action is meant to bolster last week's decision by the United Nations Security Council to impose the "toughest sanctions ever imposed on the Iranian government," Geithner said. He indicated there will be more to come.

"In the coming weeks, we will continue to increase the financial pressure on Iran," Geithner said. "We will continue to target Iran's support for terrorist organizations."

Iran will "scramble" to evade the sanctions by "hiding behind front companies, doctoring wire transfers, falsifying shipping documents," predicted Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey, a Geithner deputy who joined his boss in the White House briefing room today.

To foil those efforts, Levey announced the appointment of a veteran diplomatic hand, Robert Einhorn. He'll be charged with ensuring that the United States and its allies effectively step up the financial pressure on Iran.

(Posted by Kathy Kiely)