Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has criticised new sanctions imposed by the US on the country as a “very ugly move”.
The president said Iran was still committed to continuing nuclear talks with the US and other countries, known as P5+1, despite the developments.
"They are in conflict with the spirit of talks. They are unconstructive in my opinion," he said on state television, adding that the move would deepen distrust between the sides.
"If there are no excessive demands in the issue and if the opposite side shows loyalty...we can achieve a final deal," he said.
"Of course we bypass sanctions. We are proud that we bypass sanctions because the sanctions are illegal."
Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States make up the P5+1 and have agreed with Iran to extend negotiations until November.