US urges South Korea to cut oil imports from Iran

A senior US official is urging South Korea to reduce its crude oil imports from Iran to put pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program.

US State Department official Robert Einhorn on Tuesday also urged Seoul to "unwind" its financial dealings with Tehran's central bank.

South Korea restricts financial dealings with more than 200 groups and individuals with suspected links to Iran's nuclear program. But Seoul hasn't yet announced plans to cut oil purchases from Iran.

Einhorn told that Washington is sensitive to its allies' economic interests with Iran. But he says the world should pressure Iran into negotiating seriously over its nuclear program.

Iran says that program is for peaceful purposes.