The Syrian government has condemned new unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States on the Middle East country on Wednesday, calling them a form of "terrorism" perpetrated by Washington on the war-scarred country.

The measures are the first to take effect under the so-called Ceasar Act, which punishes any companies that work with Damascus and seeks to prevent this normalization without accountability for human rights abuses.

It also blocks US reconstruction assistance.

The first designations target 39 people or entities, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma－the first time she has been slapped with US sanctions.

"The first batch of US sanctions against Syria under the so-called Ceasar Act reveals US violations of international laws and norms," said a Syrian Foreign Ministry statement, likening the behavior of the US administration to that of "gangs" and "robbers".

It accused Washington of "hypocrisy" for justifying sanctions in the name of human rights.

US support for "terrorism" in Syria went against such principles, it added, referring to opponents of Assad's government.

"The tightening of sanctions against the Syrian people is a new dimension and form of this terrorism," said the statement released on the official SANA news agency.

Damascus warned earlier this month the sanctions would cause more suffering in a country already deep in economic crisis.

The civil conflict in Syria since 2011 has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions. The United Nations lists Syria's population at about 17 million.

On Thursday, Iran condemned the toughest sanctions on Syria, saying they were "cruel" and would exacerbate suffering in the country.

Iran "does not respect such cruel and unilateral sanctions seen as bullying and considers them to be economic terrorism against the people of Syria," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said, adding that Teheran would maintain its economic ties with Damascus.

Russia and China have criticized the US plan to impose further unilateral sanctions.

'Real purpose'

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow opposes the sanctions."The Caesar Act that is on paper aimed at protecting civilians only affects ordinary Syrians."

Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's UN ambassador, said on Tuesday at a virtual meeting of the Security Council that the US had confirmed "that the purpose of these measures is to overthrow the legitimate authorities of Syria".

China's Permanent Representative to the UN Zhang Jun said:"As vulnerable countries like Syria are struggling with the (coronavirus) pandemic, imposing more sanctions is simply inhumane and may cause additional catastrophes."

Also at the UN, humanitarian colleagues are increasingly concerned about the effect of rapidly rising food prices on more than 11 million Syrians needing aid, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

Xinhua, agencies and Ren Q in Moscow contributed to this story.