The Senate voted to impose tough new sanctions against Iran on Friday.

For the third time in less than a year, Congress hit the Islamic Republic with measures designed to cripple its economy and halt its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., introduced the latest round of sanctions.

The new package targets Iran's domestic industries, including its energy, port, shipping and ship-building sectors.

The latest sanctions penalize the sale of aluminum, steel and graphite used in ship-building and nuclear plants.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his government has found ways to circumvent the penalties, such as Turkey paying for natural gas shipments with gold.

The new measures allow the president to penalize the sale or transfer of precious metals.