Iran decries new U.S. sanctions on its missile program

Iran on Thursday denounced new U.S. sanctions on its ballistic missile program, saying it is designed to continue the policy of “maximum pressure” against Tehran.

Washington on Wednesday announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran’s ballistic missile program, weeks after a missile strike in Erbil, which was claimed by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The US Department of Treasury said the new sanctions targeted IRGC's division associated with research and development of ballistic missiles, as well as Parchin Chemical Industries (PCI), a component of Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO), and an intermediary involved in procurement of parts for missiles.

In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said the sanctions "prove the U.S. government's malice" towards the Iranian people.

Khatibzadeh said the U.S. government, despite claiming readiness to return to the full implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, "continues to violate the deal and UN Security Council Resolution 2231".