WASHINGTON - The United States said on Thursday it has imposed sanctions against nine Iranian individuals and entities it accused of transferring millions of dollars to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.

The decision came on the heels of US President Donald Trump's announcement to withdraw from the historic Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

While announcing the pullout on Tuesday, Trump vowed to impose "the highest level" of economic sanctions on Tehran and inflict punishments like secondary sanctions on nations that have business links with Tehran.

Trump's decision has sparked global outcry for its potential undermining of the multilateral treaty and the unilateral imposition of long-arm jurisdiction that would cost other nations' economic interests.