WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States has frozen the assets of two Iranian companies linked to the Islamic republic's nuclear drive, the Treasury Department said on Wednesday.

    The Treasury Department said that the two Iranian companies -- Novin Energy Co. and Mesbah Energy Co. -- were fronts for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, which it designated as a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferator in June.

    "Identifying and designating supporters of WMD proliferation disrupts the networks that are vital to illicit weapons programs," said Stuart Levey, the Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

    "We will continue to expose and isolate the individuals and entities that facilitate these networks," he said in a statement.

    Washington took the action one day after Iran informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that it planned to resume research and development into its "peaceful nuclear energy program" next Monday.

    The United States and its European allies argue Iran is making atomic fuel for use in weapons, but Iran says its nuclear program is dedicated solely to generating electricity. Enditem