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The renewal of sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran became a law on December 19, although U.S. President Barack Obama has not signed the bill, the White House's press service reported.

On December 1, the US Senate unanimously supported the prolongation of the sanctions introduced against Tehran in 1979 by 2026. Within the framework of the US legislation, Obama had to sign or veto the bill before Thursday.

However, the US leader has not signed it. "This Administration has made clear that an extension of the Iran Sanctions Act, while unnecessary, is entirely consistent with our commitments in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Consistent with this longsstanding position, the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act is becoming law without the President's signature," the White House said in a statement circulated by media.

The statement added that at the same time Obama's administration would continue to do its best to fulfill Washington's commitments in the JCPOA.

Last July Iran and the P5+1 group of countries — the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom plus Germany — signed the JCPOA, ensuring the peaceful nature of Tehran's nuclear program in return for the gradual sanctions relief.

Earlier, Iran, angered by the U.S. sanctions bill, announced a plan to build nuclear-powered ships. The move by President Hassan Rouhani came in response to the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last month that the extension was a definite breach and Iran would "definitely react to it".

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