Iran announced Thursday plans to sanction nine U.S. individuals and companies in response to what it called an "unacceptable, illegal" decision by the United States to impose new sanctions in connection with Iran's ballistic missile program.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry statement said those sanctioned violated human rights through direct or indirect links to Israeli government crimes in Palestinian territories or by supporting terrorists. It said their names would be announced later.
The U.S. Treasury announced the new sanctions Wednesday on two Iranian defense officials, an Iranian company and members of a China-based network. "These sanctions target Iranian officials as well as a China-based network that are providing support to Syria and supplying items to further Iran's ballistic weapons program," said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. "The United States will remain vigilant when it comes to Iran."
The top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, Stuart Jones, said Iran's missile program is in breach of U.N. Security Council resolutions.