TOKYO, JAPAN - Japan's cabinet Friday approved new sanctions against Iran, including an assets freeze on figures linked to its nuclear programme and tighter supervision of financial transactions, media reported.

The step comes a month after Tokyo approved punitive measures in line with a June UN Security Council resolution which slapped its fourth set of sanctions on Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment work.

The new sanctions include a freeze on the assets of more than 100 groups and individuals linked to the country's nuclear programme, which many nations fear masks a drive for atomic weapons, Jiji Press reported.