WASHINGTON (AP) — Ignoring White House opposition, the Senate voted overwhelmingly Friday to impose tough new sanctions on Iran's domestic industries as it targets the Islamic Republic's economy to thwart its nuclear ambitions.

The 94-0 vote for a package of penalties reflected fears about the threat of Iran's nuclear program and the strong desire to protect the United States' closest Mideast ally Israel. Shortly before the vote, the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee urged senators to back the measure.

Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., sponsored the amendment to a sweeping defense bill that the Senate hopes to finish next week. The punitive measures build on sanctions on Tehran's oil and financial industries that Menendez and Kirk shepherded through Congress in the past year.