WASHINGTON/TEHRAN — The United States announced a new raft of sanctions on Iran on Monday and threatened further action.

The move is part of a wider effort by US President Donald Trump to curb Tehran’s missile and nuclear programs and diminish its influence in the Middle East.

In a statement, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said: “Treasury’s imposition of unprecedented financial pressure on Iran should make clear to the Iranian regime that they will face mounting financial isolation and economic stagnation until they fundamentally change their destabilizing behavior.”

The sanctions cover 50 Iranian banks and subsidiaries, more than 200 persons and vessels in its shipping sector, and targets Tehran’s national airline, Iran Air, and more than 65 of its aircraft, the statement said.

The Belgium-based SWIFT financial messaging service said on Monday it is suspending some unspecified Iranian banks’ access to its messaging system in the interest of the stability and integrity of the global financial system.

The United States has granted exemptions to eight countries allowing them to temporarily continue buying Iranian oil, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday.

Some of the eight countries — China, India, Greece, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, Turkey and South Korea — include OPEC member Iran’s top customers.

Pompeo said more than 20 countries have already cut their oil imports from Iran, reducing purchases by more than 1 million barrels per day.

Iran said it would defy US sanctions reimposed on it by Washington on Monday.

However, Iran’s clerical rulers have dismissed concerns about the impact of sanctions on the economy.

Iranian President Hassan Rohani said even without the waivers Iran would still be able to sell its oil, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

The Iranian military launched two days of air defense drills on Monday across northern Iran, and state TV aired footage of surface-to-air missiles and air defense systems. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps are among the forces participating.

“Iran is a much different country than it was when I took office,” said Trump, adding: “They wanted to take over the whole Middle East. Right now they just want to survive.” — Agencies