Iran’s foreign ministry has condemned the US move to sanction the Iranian ambassador to Lebanon and a number of Lebanese officials and citizens.

The ministry strongly condemned the “illegal and unjustified action of the US Treasury Department in sanctioning Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani”, the designated ambassador of Iran in Beirut.

It said Tehran considered “this action as another example of the US ruling body’s rebellion and disregard for the indisputable principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, especially the fundamental principle of respecting the national sovereignty of states”.

The ministry also condemned the US action to sanction a number of Hezbollah representatives in the Lebanese House of Representatives, officials from the Amal Movement, and several Lebanese military and security officials, Mehr quoted the statement as saying.

Tehran asserted that the US’s “despicable actions are aimed at weakening Lebanon’s national sovereignty and inciting sedition in Lebanese society”.