TEHRAN - Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Wednesday strongly condemned US fresh sanctions on a number of individuals and entities linked with the Iranian energy, oil, and gas sectors, as well as people involved in the country's "peaceful" nuclear program.

Baghaei made the remarks in a statement released by the ministry one day after the United States issued the new sanctions targeting individuals and entities for their role in exporting Iran's liquefied petroleum gas and crude oil to foreign markets.

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Baghaei said the US policy of imposing sanctions on the Iranian nation was a "clear indication of the American policymakers' hostile approach towards Iran's people and disregard for the rule of law and human rights".

He added, "The US administrations' structural dependence on imposing economic sanctions on developing countries as a tool of intimidation and political pressure violates the fundamental principles and regulations of the United Nations Charter and international law".

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He noted that imposing sanctions on Iran's different economic and trade sectors was a bullying and illegal move, which is in explicit contradiction with the US claim of favoring dialogue and negotiations and indicative of Washington's lack of goodwill and seriousness in that regard.

The fresh US sanctions came despite the ongoing Oman-mediated indirect talks between Iran and the United States. The first round was held in Muscat on April 12, and the second in Rome on Saturday. The third round is scheduled to take place in Oman this coming Saturday.