Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned a new wave of US economic restrictions against Tehran, describing the measures as “state terrorism” and warning countries against cooperating with or enforcing the sanctions.

The ministry criticized what it called Washington’s continued “hostile and unlawful policies” toward Iran, referring to the latest measures as “Operation Economic Outcast.”

The ministry said the United States was using the dollar and its economic influence to pressure other countries into following Washington’s policies toward Iran, arguing that such practices violate national sovereignty and the right of states to determine their own affairs.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry argued that US sanctions against the country violate the principles of the UN Charter, particularly the prohibition of interference in the internal affairs of states and the principle of international cooperation.

The ministry also accused Washington of waging an economic war against Iran as a continuation of what it described as the US and Israeli military campaign against the country over the past year.

“These actions are all violations of international law,” the statement said, while criticizing what Tehran characterized as the failure of the United Nations system and its member states to adequately respond to violations of international law.

According to the ministry, the sanctions are intended to inflict economic hardship on ordinary Iranians and restrict their access to fundamental rights.

“It therefore constitutes an international crime and a crime against humanity,” the ministry said.

Tehran also accused the United States of continuing to violate a 2018 order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning humanitarian trade with Iran.

The ministry said the court had ordered Washington to remove obstacles to the free flow of certain humanitarian goods and services, including food and agricultural products, medicines and medical equipment, essential civil aviation safety equipment and related financial transactions.

Iran argued that the latest US measures further undermine those obligations and called on the international community and UN bodies to take steps to uphold international law.

“US economic sanctions against Iran, regardless of their name or title, are completely unlawful and unjustified measures that violate the UN Charter, international humanitarian law and human rights,” the ministry said.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry urged all countries to refrain from implementing the new US measures and warned governments against recognizing or supporting consequences arising from what Tehran considers unlawful sanctions.

It said participation in enforcing unilateral US sanctions would amount to assisting Washington in imposing its policies on sovereign states and disrupting legitimate international trade and economic relations.

Such cooperation, the ministry argued, would undermine the principle of the sovereign equality of states, which it described as one of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.

Concluding its statement, the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Iran’s determination to withstand what it described as a combined US-Israeli military, economic and hybrid campaign.

The ministry said Iran would use “all available capacities” to defend the country and its national interests.

It also expressed confidence that the Iranian people would withstand the latest pressure, citing national unity, Iran’s historical heritage and religious and national traditions as sources of resilience.

The latest confrontation adds to longstanding tensions between Tehran and Washington, with US economic restrictions remaining a central element of Washington’s pressure campaign against Iran. (ILKHA)