According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, the true purpose of the measures is to undermine Iran’s economic progress.
Tehran has denounced the latest US sanctions targeting its oil shipping network. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Washington is attempting to damage Iran’s economy and hurt its citizens.
On Wednesday, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on over 100 individuals, companies, and ships allegedly belonging to a “shipping empire” managed by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of a top advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Washington claims that Shamkhani and his network have illegally channeled billions of dollars in oil revenue to Tehran.
Baghaei declared on Thursday that “The unilateral and illegal US sanctions on Iran are a criminal act that violates the basic principles and norms of international law and human rights.” He added, “The US government must be held accountable for the gross violations resulting from these illegal sanctions.”
He characterized the measures as “clear evidence of the hostility of American decision-makers toward Iranians,” citing Washington’s “addiction to unilateralism and illegal and coercive means to achieve its illegitimate goals.”
Baghaei accused the US of “mocking the foundations of international law,” and asserted that the sanctions “aim to cripple Iran’s economic development and violate the fundamental rights of every Iranian.”
The sanctions are part of US President Donald Trump’s renewed effort to halt Iran’s uranium enrichment program, which he alleges is a secret attempt to develop nuclear weapons. They come after recent US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Trump has threatened further attacks if the sites are restarted.
Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, maintaining that its program is for peaceful purposes. In response to Trump’s threat on X, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran will not abandon the program, which has involved “tremendous investment” in peaceful technology, “simply because bullying foreigners demand it.”
Araghchi told the Financial Times on Thursday that future discussions with Washington regarding Iran’s nuclear program can only occur if the US compensates Tehran for damages from last month’s strikes. He reiterated that a deal is impossible as long as Trump insists on zero enrichment, but added that “a negotiated solution can be found.”