TASS - The United States is dealing another powerful blow to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) by unveiling new sanctions against Iran, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.

"A new round of anti-Iran sanctions announced by Washington is aimed at undermining the consistent efforts by the parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to preserve that deal," the ministry said in a statement posted on its website on Saturday. "Washington�s policy aimed at scrapping international legal nuclear nonproliferation and arms control tools triggers profound disappointment and growing concern. The US is dealing another mighty blow to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, arguing hypocritically that it is essential to strengthen it, but, in actual fact, gearing up for its collapse".

Moscow rejects any unilateral extraterritorial sanctions bypassing the UN Security Council�s decisions and affecting third countries� interests, as was the case with Washington�s restrictive measures against Iran, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

It added that Russia strongly condemned the United States� new destructive moves. Moscow will do everything it can to preserve and expand international trade, economic and financial cooperation with Iran despite the US sanctions.