The United States is putting sanctions on three accused al-Qaida leaders to strike “at the heart” of the terror group's Pakistani operations.

The U.S. Treasury Department Wednesday sanctioned Abu Yahya al-Libi, Abd al-Rahman Ould Mohammad al Husayn Ould Muhammad Salim and Mustafa Hajji Muhammad Khan.

The sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets belonging to the men. They also prohibit Americans from doing business with them.

U.S. officials say al-Libi is a senior al-Qaida commander and the group's propaganda chief. They say Salim is a senior Pakistani based leader who also helped with the formation of al-Qaida's northern African affiliate.

Khan is described as a facilitator and courier.