Iran slams new US sanctions over alleged rights abuses

TEHRAN, Iran

Iran on Tuesday denounced fresh sanctions imposed by the US on its officials and entities over alleged human rights abuses.

The US "fails to understand that 'maximum pressure' and a diplomatic breakthrough are mutually exclusive,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement on Twitter.

The sanctions announced earlier in the day by the US Treasury Department targeted nine individuals and four entities for what it called "serious" human rights abuses.

Those designated include special units of Iran's law enforcement forces and counter-terrorism special forces.

Two prisons in the provinces of Zahedan and Isfahan and a prison director from Tehran were also slapped with sanctions.

"Doubling down on sanctions won't create leverage -- and is anything but seriousness & goodwill," Khatibzadeh said, taking strong umbrage to the latest round of sanctions.

He said the US "cannot stop" imposing sanctions on Iran "even amid Vienna talks."

The sanctions come days after the seventh round of talks between Iran and world powers in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal was adjourned without any breakthrough.

Although the parties are likely to reconvene later this week, the US and its European allies have accused Iran of not being serious.

Iran, on the other hand, says it has submitted two draft proposals on sanctions removal and nuclear issues and is waiting for other parties to the deal to respond.