The Iran Project - Iran has robustly decried the recent sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union over the country's response to protests that occurred last year.i

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Naser Kanani denounced the sanctions as "unconstructive behavior" and called for a new policy based on respect for Iran's sovereignty and common security interests.

Kanani maintained that the riots were instigated by foreign-backed elements exploiting the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish Iranian girl who died in police custody.

Touching upon the Western sanctions and accusations faulting Iran's riot response, Kanani noted that, when it comes to the provision of public security for the country, the Iranian people and authorities "would not be influenced by the Western parties' malicious propaganda and measures."

The spokesman also highlighted the Western countries' own human rights records and their support for anti-Iran terrorist groups.

He concluded by stating that these countries have no right to shed crocodile tears for the Iranian nation.

On Friday, the United States, the UK, Canada and the European Union issued sanctions against dozens of Iranian individuals and entities, which they accused of either suppression or misrepresentation of last year's unrest.