TEHRAN- The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the Australian officials over the imposition of sanctions against certain officials and state institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani decried the silence of Australia and its allies in the face of Israel’s violations of international law and its recent attack on the Iranian diplomatic premise in Syria.

He went on to add that such silence proves the double-standard approach adopted by Australia and its allies to developments in West Asia.

Australia and its partners remained silent “regarding the aggressive action and violation of international laws and human rights by the Zionist regime in attacking the diplomatic headquarters of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the spokesman pointed out.

Kanaani stressed that such an approach only encourages Israelis to further violate international law and commit more war crimes.

Earlier on Tuesday, the European Union (EU) also expanded its sanctions regime to target Iran’s defensive missile program.

The European Council, a body that defines the EU’s overall political direction and priorities, said in a statement on its website that the sanctions regime on Iran had been expanded beyond current restrictions on the country’s drone production capabilities to also cover its missile program.

Tehran has said that its mid-April military operation against Israel was a legitimate response to the Israeli regime’s attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria’s Damascus on April 1.

The following is the text of the statement, published on the Ministry’s website:

The silence of Australia and its partners vis-à-vis the aggressive action and violations of international rules and law by the Zionist regime in attacking the diplomatic premise of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and their stance on Iran's legitimate action against the

regime in question, which was taken within the framework of the inherent right of self-defense according to Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, represent the double-standard approach of Australia and its Western partners towards developments in the region.

The double-standard approach of Australia and its partners in selectively adhering to international norms not only fails to reduce instability in the region but also, by remaining silent against the Zionist regime's attack on diplomatic premises and providing it with weapons for the brutal killing of the defenseless people of Gaza, encourages the Israeli regime to violate international rules and commit more war crimes, thus steering the region towards instability.

The main cause of tension and insecurity in the region is the occupation and the criminal approach of the Zionist regime in killing the Palestinian people, along with the relentless support of the evil coalition, including Australia, for this regime.

The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns Australia's illegal use of sanctions and its compliance with Washington, reserving the right to take reciprocal measures.