"But the sanctions are obviously causing a few problems and they are deeply unfair," he added.

"The fact of the matter is that these sanctions have ruined the banking system and are causing suffering for the people."

The news has touched off a debate over whether the sanctions have caused this new softening.

They also publicly expressed indifference toward the pain that sanctions might cause.

By winter, she said, the sanctions could cause hardship.

If sanctions are causing discrimination and not discouraging illegals, critics argue, why continue them?

Iran is a major oil producer, and sanctions against it could cause oil prices to rise even higher.

It was unclear, however, whether the sanctions would cause grief for Americans who fail to pay their utility bills.

Broad-based sanctions all too often cause harm and deprivation to ordinary citizens.

- Press reports indicate that sanctions have caused Iran's production of automobiles to fall by about 40% from 2011 levels.