Iran Blasts New US Missile Sanctions

Local Editor

In response to the new US sanctions on its missile program on Thursday, Iran criticized the step warning that this would undermine the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

"Iran condemns the US administration's ill will in its effort to reduce the positive results of the country's implementation of JCPOA [nuclear deal] commitments by adding individuals to the list of unilateral and illegal extraterritorial sanctions," foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said on his Telegram channel.

This comes as US administration chose to stick by the nuclear deal with Iran on Wednesday. However, it imposed new measures to punish Iranian defense officials and a Chinese business tied to Tehran's ballistic missile program.

Iran denies ever seeking nuclear weapons and Ghasemi said its missile program is part of its "absolute and legal right to build up the country's defensive capabilities".

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its missile program with power and authority based on its plans," he said.

Ghasemi said Iran would retaliate by adding nine US individuals and companies to its own sanctions list, accusing them of "clear violations of human rights" in relation to their support for "Israel" or "terrorist groups" in the Middle East.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team