According to the official reports, the U. S. Senate voted 99-0 Thursday to pass a measure imposing new sanctions on Iran.

The Hill has reported that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said on the Senate floor, "The world has watched as Iran has oppressed its own people, violated United Nations resolutions, challenged America and threatened Israel."

He further added, "The Senate is taking an important step forward today as we pass a conference report that will impose tough new sanctions on Iran. We are passing these sanctions because we believe we must stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, a weapon that would surely threaten the national security of the United States and of Israel."

The bill would penalize financial institutions doing business with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and any businesses involved with refined petroleum in the country.

It has also been reported that the House of Representatives was expected to turn in a similar vote on the report on Thursday. (With Inputs from Agencies)