China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang (Photo: CGTN)

On Thursday, China's Foreign Ministry denounced the sanctions imposed by the US on Chinese entities and individuals after Washington accused them of transferring oil from Iran in violation of US curbs on Iran, vowing to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its domestic enterprises.

Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at Thursday's daily briefing in response to the new sanctions targeting five Chinese nationals and six entities announced by the US Treasury Department on Wednesday. 

"China firmly opposes the US imposition of unilateral sanctions and so-called 'long-arm jurisdiction' on Chinese entities invoking its domestic law," Geng said. "It is a bullying practice ... that disregards other parties' legal rights and interests."

He stressed that China's cooperation with Iran is legitimate and legal and should be respected and protected under the framework of international law, adding: "China has taken and will continue to pursue necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights of Chinese companies."

China strongly urges the US side to immediately correct its wrongdoing, he said. 

The US and Saudi Arabia, among some other countries, have blamed the September 14 attack targeting the Saudi oil facilities on Iran, rattling the Middle East and raising concerns about a broader war. 

Iran has denied its involvement in the attack while the Yemen's Houthi militants claimed responsibility.