On December 22, Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the new sanctions imposed by the UK, calling them 'baseless' and a violation of the fundamental principles of international law.
In an official statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said the UK sanctions targeting Iranian individuals and entities are hostile actions without any credible evidence. He emphasized that Tehran views these moves as 'blatant interference in Iran's internal affairs.'
The new UK sanctions, announced earlier this week, target individuals and organizations accused by London of involvement in Iran's missile program and destabilizing activities in the Middle East. Tehran has repeatedly denied allegations of developing weapons of mass destruction, insisting its nuclear and missile activities are entirely peaceful.
The UK move comes amid rising tensions between Tehran and Western countries, particularly over the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). Talks in Vienna aimed at reviving the agreement have yet to achieve a breakthrough, fueling an atmosphere of confrontation.
Earlier, the US also imposed new sanctions targeting Iranian entities, prompting Tehran to accuse Washington of undermining diplomatic efforts. Iran has vowed an appropriate response to the UK and US sanctions and warned that these actions will not affect its determination to strengthen its defense capabilities and pursue peaceful nuclear development.
Experts say this is the latest development in the ongoing confrontation between Iran and the West, which could further complicate diplomatic progress. Meanwhile, Western nations call on Iran to fully return to compliance with its JCPOA commitments in exchange for sanctions relief.
