Iran condemns Trump's 'hostile and illegal' new sanctions

Iran's Foreign Ministry on Saturday issued a statement slamming President Trump's Friday announcement of 14 new U.S. sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities, most notably the head of the country's judicial system, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani. The statement labels Larijani's inclusion a "hostile and illegal act," accusing the Trump administration of going "way beyond all internationally accepted behavior red lines." Iran promised a "severe" response, laying responsibility for all consequences on Washington.

The sanctions were leveled in connection to the Iranian government's treatment of anti-regime demonstrators at protests in late December and early January. They are separate from the sanctions addressed by the Iran nuclear deal. Larijani is accused of involvement in executing minors.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also objected to Trump's 120-day deadline for changes to the Iran deal, saying the deal is "not renegotiable" and Trump is engaged in "desperate attempts to undermine a solid multilateral agreement."

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