What follows is the full text of the statement:

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the U.S. administration’s move to impose sanction on Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, director of Iran’s diplomacy, and sees the measure as a clear sign of the U.S. administration’s frustration. The new U.S. sanction reveals its administration’s fear and weakness vis-à-vis the Islamic Republic of Iran’s smart diplomacy which is based upon logic.

IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that the recent sanction on the Minister of Foreign Affairs will have no impact on the efforts and activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or by the Minister of Foreign Affairs himself, as the person in charge of the country’s foreign policy, to prove the rightfulness of the Iranian nation, protect the national interests, and fight against the U.S. administration’s economic terrorism, and the Foreign Minister will carry on with his mission and responsibility with maximum power and faith.

Meanwhile President Hassan Rouhani has denounced the United States’ imposition of sanctions on Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, saying the move ran counter to Washington’s claim it is ready for unconditional talks.

Addressing a ceremony on Thursday, Rouhani said the Americans say they would like to hold talks with Tehran on the one hand, but impose sanctions on the country’s top diplomat on the other.

“They say every day that they are ready for unconditional talks with Iran, but they impose sanctions on its foreign minister,” said Rouhani, dismissing this approach as “childish behavior”.

“Such a move shows the enemies have become so desperate that they have no time to think,” the president added.

“If they want to hold talk, is there any other path than the Foreign Ministry? He (Zarif) is the head of the foreign policy apparatus,” said President Rouhani.

He said the U.S. is scared of the Iranian foreign minister’s logic.

“All pillars of the White House begin to shake in the face of Zarif’s interviews,” he added.

Iranian First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri also criticized Washington’s move in a post on his Twitter account.

“Even Zarif’s wise enemies are aware of his almost unrivalled knowledge, skills and ability in negotiations and creating opportunities to ward off conflict and war,” Jahangiri tweeted.

“The imposition of sanctions on Zarif is yet another reason which shows their hypocrisy and lies when calling for negotiations,” he added.