LONDON, United Kingdom – Iran’s foreign ministry on Wednesday strongly condemned the latest round of US sanctions targeting a number of Iranian individuals and entities involved in the country's energy, oil, and gas sectors, as well as those linked to its controversial nuclear program.

In a statement published on the Foreign Ministry's website on Wednesday, ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei asserted that Washington's continued use of sanctions reflects “a clear hostility” toward the Iranian nation and serves as an indication of the US failure to respect the rule of law and human rights.

The official criticized what he framed as the “structural reliance” of consecutive American administrations on “economic coercion” and exploiting sanctions as a “tool for political pressure” against developing nations. Such measures, according to Baghaei, are in breach of the United Nations Charter.

“These sanctions undermine the foundations of legal sovereignty and free trade, and represent a gross infringement of fundamental human rights—particularly the right to development.” He went on to label the American sanctions policy toward Tehran “a crime against humanity.”

The new package of sanctions was imposed as Iran and the United States have recently been engaged in long-awaited negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program. A third round of the talks is expected to be held in the Omani capital, Muscat, on Saturday.

Tehran has repeatedly declared that no final deal could be closed unless the United States lifts its onerous sanctions on Iran's battered economy.

In the statement, Baghaei noted that the new sanctions “contradict claims” by the US administration to favor dialogue with the Islamic republic.

He called for the US administration to be held accountable for the “blatant human rights violations” tied to its sanctions regime.