The Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the latest round of US sanctions on Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sectors, imposed in response to Tehran's retaliatory strike on Israeli strategic targets earlier this month.

The sanctions were announced by the US Treasury Department on Friday, and they mainly target companies and vessels allegedly involved in the trade and transport of Iranian oil.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, denounced the sanctions as "unlawful and unjustifiable," asserting that Iran's missile strikes on Israeli military sites in the occupied territories on October 1 were a legitimate act of self-defense, in accordance with international law.

Baghaei clarified that the operation was a response to Israeli aggression, referring to the regime's long-standing role in regional instability.

"The US move to impose sanctions has no legal or logical basis and amounts to paying a ransom to the rogue Israeli regime," Baghaei said in a statement.

He criticized Washington's continued support for "Israel", accusing the US of being complicit in "Israel's" "genocide in Gaza" and its military aggressions against Lebanon.

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US 'addicted to threats and maximum pressure'

The spokesperson further argued that these sanctions would only embolden "Israel" to continue its acts of violence, jeopardizing peace and security in the region.

He accused the US of playing a "negative and destructive" role in West Asia, asserting that its policies were destabilizing the region by backing Israeli military actions and providing it with political and military support.

Baghaei reaffirmed Iran's right to take appropriate countermeasures in response to the sanctions.

"The US regime’s addiction to the policy of threats and maximum pressure against the Iranian people will not affect the will of the Islamic Republic of Iran to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interests, and its citizens against any violation and foreign aggression," he said, adding that Iran will continue to defend itself against foreign threats.

The sanctions come after US President Joe Biden recently advocated for imposing sanctions as an alternative to launching strikes on Iranian oilfields.

On Thursday, three Gulf sources told Reuters that Gulf states are urging Washington to prevent "Israel" from bombing Iran's oil assets, fearing the targeting of their oil facilities by the Axis of Resistance should they allow "Israel" to use their airspace. 

Despite this, Israeli news reports confirmed on Saturday that the US has expedited the transfer of the THAAD missile defense system to "Israel".

A report by Israeli news outlet Ynet said that the decision was made in response to "increasing threats of ballistic missile attacks from Iran".

Read more: US to transfer THAAD system to 'Israel' despite warnings