The Foreign Ministry has condemned the latest sanctions imposed by the United States on Chinese companies under the pretext of Iran, stating that China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises.

On Monday, the US Treasury Department issued sanctions against 12 individuals and entities, alleging they facilitated the sale and shipment of Iranian oil to China.

In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that, "China firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and have not been authorized by the United Nations Security Council."

Beijing "will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises," he added.