BEIJING (Dispatches) – China said Sunday it opposes “illegal” U.S. sanctions on Iran following riots which marked thugs attacking public property, security forces and ambulances.  

“China is opposed to the U.S.’s illegal unilateral sanctions on Iran,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, adding her country also opposes “interference in countries’ internal affairs under any pretext.”

“We are against instigation of color revolutions in countries in the name of democracy and human rights,” she said. 

The United States Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on seven Iranian officials.

In a statement, the U.S. Treasury Department said it has levied sanctions on Iran’s Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eisa Zarepour, among others, accusing Vahidi of ordering suppression of riots after the death of Mahsa Amini, and Zarepour of leading attempts to block the country’s internet access in a bid to slow the protests.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told a German Sunday newspaper on Sunday  Germany will ensure the European Union freeze the assets of those it deems responsible for confronting riots in Iran and ban their entry to the bloc. 

Germany, France, Denmark, Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic have submitted 16 proposals for new EU sanctions against Iran, a German foreign ministry source said last week.

Those proposing the sanctions are aiming for the EU foreign ministers to decide on them at their meeting on Oct. 17, with no resistance expected from the members of the bloc.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday announced plans to bar about 10,000 members of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) from entering Canada.

 During a news conference on Friday, Trudeau said the top 50 percent of the IRGC’s leadership would get lifetime entry bans under new measures imposed through Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The IRGC is the backbone of the statehood of Iran and its key rampart against foreign aggression and interference in the country.

The force is a thorn in the side of Iran’s enemies because of its unflinching loyalty to the ideals of the Islamic Revolution and its role in leading the regional axis of resistance.