TEHRAN – Iran has fiercely criticized the latest round of U.S. sanctions targeting its petroleum and petrochemical sectors, saying that the sanctions amount to nothing more than the U.S. paying ransom to the rogue Israeli regime.

On Sunday, Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, released a statement strongly denouncing the new U.S. measures, which come in the wake of Iran’s October 1 retaliatory missile strike on Israeli military targets. 

In his remarks, Baqaei emphasized that Iran’s missile strike was fully justified under international law, asserting that the country was exercising its right to self-defense in response to Israeli aggression. He argued that the U.S. sanctions, in contrast, lacked any legitimate or legal basis. 

Baqaei went further, stating that the U.S. of plays a “negative and destructive” role in destabilizing the security of West Asia. 

He pointed to Washington’s long-standing political and military support for Israel, particularly its role as a major arms supplier to the Israeli government, as evidence of complicity in crimes committed by the Israeli regime. 

“The U.S. is not only the primary political sponsor of the Zionist regime but also its main provider of weapons, which are used in genocidal attacks on Gaza and aggressive actions against Lebanon,” Baqaei stated. “This makes the U.S. an accomplice in some of the most heinous international crimes.”

The spokesman further said that the U.S. of is responsible for the escalation of tensions in the region, stating that the sanctions would only embolden Israel and encourage it to continue its violent actions against Palestinians and neighboring states. According to Baqaei, these measures are a direct threat to regional peace and security, as well as global stability.

Baqaei also reaffirmed Iran’s right to respond to these sanctions, warning that Tehran would not be deterred by U.S. pressure tactics. 

He described the U.S. government’s ongoing strategy of “maximum pressure” against Iran as ineffective, stating that such actions would not sway Iran from defending its sovereignty and national interests. “The U.S. regime’s addiction to the policy of maximum threat and pressure against the Iranian nation has no effect on the Islamic Republic’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests,” Baqaei declared.

Last Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on several companies and vessels that it claimed were involved in the trading and transport of Iranian oil. According to the U.S., these sanctions were a response to Iran’s missile attack on Israeli military sites in the occupied territories.

Iran applauds Nicaragua for cutting ties with Zionist regime

In another development, Baqaei commended the firm measures implemented by the Nicaraguan government in severing all political relations with the Zionist regime.

The spokesman for Iranian foreign ministry regarded this action as a demonstration of Nicaragua's dedication to the tenets of international law, the United Nations Charter, and various international agreements aimed at preventing and addressing genocide.

Baqaei highlighted the resilience and determination of the Nicaraguan government and its citizens in the face of economic sanctions and political pressures from the United States. 

The spokesman characterized Nicaragua's principled stance in unequivocally condemning the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the aggressions of the occupying regime against Lebanon as “commendable.” 

Baqaei stressed the importance of other nations joining the effort to sever ties with this regime and rallying the global community to halt its harmful actions and warmongering. 

He expressed gratitude for the solidarity and support shown by the Nicaraguan government and people towards the people of Palestine, Lebanon, and other nations in the region facing "genocide, occupation, and ongoing aggression" from the occupying regime.

the Iranian spokesman expressed optimism that the bold and responsible decision by the Nicaraguan government to sever relations with the genocidal Israeli regime following similar moves by Bolivia and Colombia in the Americas will inspire other countries to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities in opposing the occupation and genocide perpetrated by the Zionist regime.

Nicaraguan Presidential Office announced its decision to sever diplomatic relations with Israel on October 12, 2024, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the Israeli regime's crimes in the Palestinian territories as the primary reasons. This move marks the third time Nicaragua has cut its ties with the Israeli regime, following similar actions in 2010 and 1982.