WASHINGTON - A new law in the United States imposes sanctions on companies or foreign nations that help Iran make nuclear weapons.

President Bush signed the Iran Freedom Support Act Saturday after the Senate gave it final approval.

Mr. Bush said the law extends current sanctions against Iran and gives him the flexibility to impose new sanctions against those aiding Iran’s development of nuclear weapons.

The United States and other nations are trying to persuade Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program.

Saturday in Tehran, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad rejected calls for suspension and vowed to protect Iran’s right to a nuclear program.

The United States says Iran is intent on producing nuclear weapons.  Tehran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.