Sputnik- The introduction of new US unilateral sanctions against Iran is counterproductive as it could hamper the implementation of Iran comprehensive nuclear deal and could lead to escalation of tensions in ties with Tehran in general, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.


MOSCOW (Sputnik)�� Earlier in�the day, the US Treasury Department imposed a new round�of sanctions against�Iran, adding 12 entities and 13 individuals to�the OFAC�s Specially Designated Nationals list, after�Tehran carried out�a missile launch.


The move comes after�US President Donald Trump said that Iran is "playing with�fire," adding that he will not be "as kind" as�former US leader Barack Obama had been.

"We believe that the introduction of�unilateral sanctions against�Iran in�the current circumstances would be extremely counterproductive and could hamper the implementation of�agreements on�Tehran's nuclear program," the source told Sputnik, adding that it could also "escalate the situation in�general."

"The recent missile test launches by�Iran cannot serve as�an objective basis for�any sanctions, because Iran does not violate anything, as�there are no restrictions imposed on�Tehran in�terms of�missile launches," the source stressed.

On Wednesday, Michael Flynn, the US national security adviser, announced that the White House had issued an unprecedented notice as�a result of�missile tests.

A day later, Trump confirmed Flynn�s remarks, saying that Tehran was "formally PUT ON NOTICE for�firing a ballistic missile."

The Iranian supreme leader�s top aide commented on the statements, saying that Tehran will continue missile tests in�accordance with�its defense program and US' warnings are a "bluff."

After much criticism and speculation over�alleged missile tests in�Iran earlier in�the week, the nation�s Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan confirmed on�Wednesday that the nation had conducted test missile launches in�line with�their defense programs.

Dehqan also underlined the fact that these tests violated neither the Joint Comprehensive Plan of�Action (JCPOA) nor UN Resolution 2231.

On July 14, 2015, Iran, the European Union, and the P5+1 group of�countries signed the JCPOA to�ensure the peaceful nature of�Iran�s nuclear program. Under this agreement, Iran pledged to�refrain from�developing or acquiring nuclear weapons in�exchange for�the lifting of�sanctions imposed against�Iran. A UN resolution was passed shortly afterwards, reaffirming the nuclear agreement.