The US administration led by President Donald Trump has imposed fresh sanctions against Iran, a day after it certified Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal signed last year.

Citing Iran’s “malign activities across the Middle East”, the US state department had designated 18 individuals and entities supporting Tehran’s ballistic missile programme, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as well as an unspecified transnational criminal organisation.

State department spokesperson Heather Nauert said the administration remained “deeply concerned” over Iran’s support for organisations such as Hezbollah, Hamas as well as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

While the US acknowledged Iran’s compliance with the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed in January 2016, it said its alleged support for the terror organisations went against the spirit of the deal and “undercut whatever positive contributions to regional and international peace and security”.

Iran has slammed the latest wave of sanctions imposed against its government calling it “contemptible and worthless” and vowed retaliation by imposing sanctions against US nationals.

The Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement posted on IRNA news agency that the names of blacklisted US individuals would be announced soon.