US President Barack Obama has ordered a freeze on Iran's property under US jurisdiction including that of the country's central bank. This comes as the US and its allies are pressing Iran over its nuclear program.

Describing the measures as additional steps against Iran Obama said the move aims to counter the deceptive practices of Iran's central bank and other institutions which conceal transactions of sanctioned parties.

The president also said the move was to safeguard the global economy against Iran.

The freeze applies to people who are determined as having links with those already under US sanctions.

Obama urged Iran to stand down on the current stand-off during a TV interview on Sunday while emphasizing his goal to resolve the stand-off diplomatically.