Iran condemned a new round of US sanctions on its oil and shipping sectors a day after Washington announced penalties on dozens of firms, vessels and individuals it said were helping Tehran evade restrictions on energy exports.
“These sanctions are cruel and illegal. They aim to weaken Iran’s economy and hurt the welfare of its people,” foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Thursday, according to state media.
Baghaei said the United States was using sanctions as a tool of pressure and accused Washington of ignoring international norms. “America’s addiction to unilateral action has undermined the foundations of international law,” he said.
“The sanctions violate the sovereignty of states and disrupt global trade,” he added.
Baghaei also said the sanctions amounted to a violation of human rights and called for Washington to be held responsible under international law.
The latest designations by the US State and Treasury Departments aim to disrupt revenue flows from oil exports that Washington says fund Iran’s regional military activities and domestic repression.
The Treasury also listed vessels linked to a sprawling network led by Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, Iran's former national security chief and an adviser to supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
The sweeping sanctions freeze any US-based assets and prohibit Americans from doing business with the named entities.
The Shamkhani family has also been accused of using its illicit wealth to obtain foreign passports and luxury properties abroad—privileges far removed from the daily struggles of ordinary Iranians.
