The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Iran has strongly condemned new US sanctions against the country, stating that Washington's long-term policy of economic pressure is a form of "economic terrorism" and a "crime against humanity," the MFA noted in a statement.

The statement from the Iranian MFA noted that, according to Tehran, the new sanctions are another manifestation of the 73-year-old hostile policy of the US towards the Iranian people and demonstrate the "anti-human law-breaking and arrogant" nature of the American authorities.

The Iranian MFA said that the US economic sanctions on Iran affect the fundamental rights of every citizen of the country and, therefore, should be considered as "economic terrorism" and a "crime against humanity."

"(...) and the instigators and perpetrators of these sanctions, due to the commission of such heinous crimes, deserve to be tried and punished," the statement added.

Tehran said that Washington and its allies had failed to achieve their main goal of forcing Iran to abandon its positions and accept the "illegal and anti-human ambitions" of its opponents.

According to the Iranian side, the new sanctions only add to the list of crimes that the US has committed against Iran, but will not affect the country's determination to defend its independence, dignity, and national sovereignty.

"Sanctions and economic pressure are the other side of the coin of war and military aggression," the Iranian MFA stated.

Also, Tehran accused the US of threatening international peace and security and plunging "human civilization into an unprecedented moral degeneration."

The statement emphasized that the countries that recognize the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, including respect for the national sovereignty of states, should not remain indifferent to the continuation of American policy.

The Iranian MFA added that the demonstrative announcement of new sanctions is a continuation of a policy that has already proven its ineffectiveness.

In Tehran's opinion, the repeated use of this strategy will only lead to a "repetition of past failures," and the US government and those who develop and implement this policy will bear responsibility for the consequences of the new restrictions.

In conclusion, the MFA of Iran stressed that the country remains "steadfast and determined" in protecting its security and national interests.

Tehran stated that it will resist American military, economic, political and psychological pressure, relying on national capabilities and decades of experience in confronting Washington.

"(...) the Islamic Republic of Iran will utilize all tools and capacities to repel the evil of the American-Zionist [i.e. Israel] enemy and to safeguard Iran’s national interests," the Iranian MFA statement concluded.