In a statement on Friday, Esmaeil Baqaei vehemently condemned the US administration’s imposition of sanctions on a series of natural and legal persons on the pretext that they are involved in the sale of Iranian oil.
He said the US’ decision is absolutely unjustifiable and contradicts the international rules and norms.
“The new US administration’s decision to exert pressure on the Iranian people by preventing Iran’s legal trade with its economic partners is an illegitimate, unlawful and violating action,” the spokesman said.
Baqaei said the US administration bears international responsibility for the new sanction, adding, “The Islamic Republic of Iran holds the US accountable for the consequences of such unilateral and bullying moves.”
The US Treasury said on Thursday it is imposing new sanctions on a number of individuals and tankers with a role in shipping Iranian crude oil to China.
They were the first US sanctions on Iran's oil after US President Donald Trump vowed to bring Iran's crude exports to zero.
The sanctions block access of the individuals and entities to any of their assets in the United States and prohibit US foreign assistance.