09 Dec 2021; MEMO: An Iran official yesterday slammed the US' decision to impose new sanctions on it on Tuesday.
Some 12 Iranian entities and officials were blacklisted for allegedly committing "gross violations of human rights".
"Even amid Vienna talks, the US cannot stop imposing sanctions against Iran," spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Twitter.
Earlier on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department announced it was freezing assets and banning US nationals from engaging in business with agencies and individuals from several countries, on grounds of alleged "repression and the undermining of democracy".
The list of sanctioned persons and entities included the special units of Iran's police, including its counter-terrorism force, two state prisons, and a number of officials and military commanders.
Khatibzadeh said: "Doubling down on sanctions won't create leverage — and is anything but seriousness & goodwill."
The sanctions come days after the seventh round of talks between Iran and world powers in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal were adjourned without any breakthrough.
Under the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), some economic sanctions were lifted from Iran in exchange for strict limits on its nuclear programme.
However, the deal crumbled in 2018, when then-US President Donald Trump withdrew from it and reimposed sanctions on Iran.
