Story highlights The US criticized Iran for continuing to develop its ballistic missile program

On Monday, the Trump administration indicated Iran's complying with the nuclear deal

Washington (CNN) The Trump administration announced new sanctions against entities and individuals with ties to Iran on Tuesday, one day after certifying the Iranian government's compliance with a major nuclear agreement reached two years ago.

"The United States remains deeply concerned about Iran's malign activities across the Middle East which undermine regional stability, security and prosperity," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement, noting Iran's support for US-designated terrorist groups, militias and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as well as domestic human rights concerns.

Nauert also criticized Iran for continuing to develop its ballistic missile program, which the United States and other countries consider a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Late Monday, the Trump administration announced it planned to certify that Iran was abiding by the terms -- but not the "spirit" -- of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement reached in 2015 between Iran, the US and five other world powers under which Iran agreed to roll back its nuclear program in exchange for some sanctions relief.

That certification, which the administration is required to submit at regular intervals, effectively allows the deal to live on.

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