The U.S. is welcoming South Korea's implementation of sanctions on Iran to pressure Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

In a joint statement, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner welcomed South Korea's decision to "impose sanctions in a number of Iranian economic sectors that have been exploited for proliferation-related purposes by entities and individuals of concern."

They said sanctions "strengthen the growing international resolve to prevent proliferation and Iran's development of nuclear weapons and to press Iran to return to serious negotiations on its nuclear program and meet its international obligations."

Clinton and Geithner were grateful for Seoul's decision, saying they know it was made at the risk of losses in its trade ties with Iran.

The U.S. Congress and media also said that Seoul’s tough decision reflected its commitment to the alliance with the U.S. and its status as a responsible member of the international community.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley earlier said that South Korea's sanctions will put additional pressure on Iran to hopefully come to the dialogue table.