Iran has strongly condemned the latest round of U.S. sanctions that was announced by Washington on December 30.
The designations include five Iranian nationals, one entity suspected of assisting Tehran's purchase U.S. dollars, and two companies linked to human rights abuses.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marzieh Afkham said on December 31 that the move contradicted the spirit of the nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers aimed at finding a solution to the crisis over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Afkham said such a move raised "doubts America's intentions."
U.S. Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen said on December 30 that the move was part of efforts to enforce the existing sanction regime.
He said Washington does not support imposing new nuclear-related sanctions.