Photo taken on June 18, 2020 shows the Central Bank of Syria in Damascus, capital of Syria. The United States on Wednesday announced massive sanctions against Syria, in an effort to further deprive the revenue of the Syrian government. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

 The United States on Wednesday announced massive sanctions against Syria, in an effort to further deprive the revenue of the Syrian government.

The latest sanctions, provisioned by the Caesar Act, include 39 individuals and entities including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced in a statement.

Pompeo alleged designated people and companies "played a key role in obstructing a peaceful political solution to the conflict."

"Anyone doing business with the Assad regime, no matter where in the world they are, is potentially exposed to travel restrictions and financial sanctions," the statement said.

The statement noted that Wednesday's action was the beginning of a sustained campaign of economic and political pressure against Syria.

Earlier this month, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said that the United States is practicing "economic terrorism" against Syria, claiming the sanctions under the Caesar Act are based on lies and fabricated claims.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Tuesday said sanctions by the United States and the European Union helped push Syria's economy to the brink.