China opposes US illegal sanctions on Iran: Foreign Ministry

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson says Beijing opposes “illegal” sanctions that the United States has imposed on Iran under the pretext of the ongoing riots in the country following the death of a young Iranian woman at hospital after being taken by police.

Mao Ning made the remarks during her regular press conference on Sunday in response to a question about the US move to sanction Iranian officials on the basis of its own domestic law while threatening to continue imposing sanctions on Iran citing the situation in the country.

“China is opposed to the US’s illegal unilateral sanctions on Iran,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, adding that her country also opposes “interference in countries’ internal affairs under any pretext.”

“We are against instigation of color revolutions in countries in the name of democracy and human rights,” the spokeswoman pointed out.

The United States Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on seven Iranian officials.

In a statement, the US Treasury Department said it has levied sanctions on Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eisa Zarepour, among others, accusing Vahidi of ordering suppression of riots after the death of Mahsa Amini, and Zarepour of leading attempts to block the country’s internet access in a bid to slow the protests.