European Union nations agreed on Monday to impose new sanctions against Iran, including an assets freeze of the country's biggest bank, which is suspected of providing services to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The EU said it will also announce Tuesday additional financial and travel sanctions on several Iranian companies and "senior experts" linked to Tehran's nuclear program.

U.S. economic sanctions leveled against Iran over Tehran's nuclear program further fueled debate about the possibility of U.S. military action against the country.

A profile of Iran's nuclear ambitions from its 1958 membership into the International Atomic Energy Agency to current fears it could be developing nuclear weapons.

A relatively unknown figure before he became mayor of Tehran in 2003, Iran's ultra conservative and outspoken president has ushered in a new era of hard-line policies.