Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “condemned the new sanctions imposed by the US related to Iran's energy sector” in a statement attributed to spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.
Baghaei said the sanctions were in response to “defensive actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces against the military targets” of Israel.
The White House announced expanded sanctions on Iranian petroleum and chemical interests on Friday, including “measures against the 'Ghost Fleet' that carries Iran’s illicit oil to buyers around the world.”
The US State Department stated the sanctions include "six entities engaged in Iranian petroleum trade and identifying six vessels as blocked property.”
The sanctions lack “any legal or logical basis,” according to Baghei who labeled them as a form of “payoff” for Israel.
He also said that the US sanctions won’t affect Iran’s “determination to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interests, and citizens against any aggressive actions and foreign assaults.”
On October 1, Iran launched around 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel. Tehran said the barrage was in response to Israel’s killing of Hezbollah secretary general Hasan Nasrallah, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Abbas Nilforoushan.
The current conflict was ignited a year ago between Israel and Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Recently, Israel has escalated its ground operations and airstrikes in southern Lebanon, where it is targeting Hezbollah.
As Israel considers a response to the missile barrage, US President Joe Biden has said Washington is urging Israel not to attack Iranian oil facilities.