Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says Moscow will work alongside Iran and other like-minded countries to counter unlawful sanctions initiatives and remove sanctions pressure from international relations.

Speaking on Thursday in response to US economic pressure on Iran, Maria Zakharova said Moscow will coordinate efforts with its Iranian partners and other countries concerned to oppose "illegal initiatives."

"We will work together with like-minded countries to remove sanctions pressure from international relations," she said.

Zakharova said sanctions have long been turned into "a tool for settling scores with and punishing countries that are not favored by the West."

Earlier, China said that unilateral sanctions against Iran are illegal.

The United States unveiled the new wave of illegal sanctions against Iran under the so-called "Operation Economic Outcast," threatening secondary penalties against any country or entity maintaining trade ties with Tehran in a failed attempt to achieve through economic coercion what its military aggression could not.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday announced the new "economic terrorism" campaign, absurdly comparing it to the D-Day Normandy landings of World War II.

Bessent said the measures target Iran`s financial networks worldwide and warned that no partner is beyond Washington`s reach.

Iran`s Foreign Ministry spokesperson warned that Tehran would respond harshly to expanded US sanctions, including measures against countries it sees as cooperating with Washington.

"Any escalation of this situation will undoubtedly bring about consequences," Esmaeil Baghaei said. "Our hands are not tied."

The new head of Iran`s top security body warned Sunday that Tehran will see any country`s support for the sanctions as an "act of war."

Sanctions have historically raised prices of basic goods in Iran, but after decades of withstanding them, Iran`s economy has adapted through finding new trading partners and building domestic industries.

China said Monday that sanctions and additional pressure "will not help resolve the issue".

"They will only exacerbate tensions and escalate the situation, which is in no one`s interest," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a daily briefing in Beijing.

He added that China is calling on all parties to avoid measures "that could further intensify differences and conflicts and disrupt global economic development and financial stability."

China is considered the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, and was importing more than 80% of Iranian oil before the US-Israeli terrorist war with Iran.