Iranian foreign ministry criticised new US sanctions on its missile programme, saying they would undermine a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
"Iran condemns the US administration's ill will in its effort to reduce the positive results of the country's implementation of JCPOA (nuclear deal) commitments by adding individuals to the list of unilateral and illegal extraterritorial sanctions," the country's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said on his Telegram channel.
Ghasemi added that its missile programme is part of its "absolute and legal right to build up the country's defensive capabilities," the AFP reported.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its missile programme with power and authority based on its plans," he said.
The US administration renewed a waiver of nuclear-related sanctions, but it imposed new measures to punish Iranian defence officials and a Chinese business tied to Tehran's ballistic missile programme, which it says is in breach of international law because they could carry nuclear warheads in the future.
