Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemned today the issuing of fresh sanctions by the US treasury against a number of companies for exporting oil from Iran and urged the US to cease its practice of unilateral sanctions. 

Yesterday, OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) issued a new list of sanctions against one vessel and multiple entities from China, Iran, India, and the UAE for violating Iran-related sanctions.

"The US side needs to abandon the wrong practice of resorting to sanctions at every turn and do more things that are conducive to negotiations on resuming compliance with the JCPOA," said Mao Ning said during a press conference.  

Ning added that China has always stood against unlawful and unjustified unilateral sanctions and that cooperation between Iran and other countries or China doesn't expose third parties to any harms or risks and must be respected.

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Ever since the Iranian Revolution of 1978-79, Iran has been the constant target of unlawful and unjustified sanctions by the US.

The reason was over Iran's alleged development of a nuclear program, although Iran has in the past repeatedly stated that it does not and never intends to take that route.

Although the JCPOA negotiations are still underway, Iran has recently stated that it needs guarantees prior to signing the deal. 

On September 25, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told Chinese journalists that building closer relationships with China and Russia can help neutralize the "cruel" sanctions imposed by the US.

He said that "Sanctions are a weapon. In yesteryears, they used to put boots on the ground, so to speak, and use military action. But today the face of that threat has been changed to the imposition of cruel sanctions, which is a cruel imposition on nations." 

During his speech at the UNGA assembly, Raissi said that Iran, which was a victim of terrorism, became a haven of security and anti-terrorism, meaning that the Iranian revolution managed to persevere despite western imposed pressures to push for Iran's capitulation. 

He also stressed that "Iran is not seeking to build or obtain nuclear weapons and such weapons have no place in our doctrine," adding that Iran is mobilizing efforts toward reviving the JCPOA deal.

Earlier today, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told the press once again that Tehran is determined to reach a good, strong, and sustainable deal and will spare no effort in this regard, adding that it is now Washington's turn to show whether it is courageous enough to take the necessary decisions.

Read more: Amir-Abdollahian: Nuclear deal dependent on US determination, goodwill