“Escalation of threat and approval of fresh sanctions against an administration that has started its work based on foresight and hope and avoiding tension in foreign relations, is diplomatic imprudence,” Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council said on Monday.

In its latest measure against Iran, the US House of Representatives last Wednesday approved a bill to impose tougher sanctions on Tehran’s oil exports and financial sector.

The bill, which must be approved by the Senate and signed by President Barack Obama to become law, seeks to cut Iran's oil exports by one million barrels per day over a year.

The US has imposed several rounds of illegal sanctions on Iran, which Washington claims to be aimed at pressuring Tehran to abandon its nuclear energy program.

The US, Israel and some of their allies falsely claim that Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program, with Washington and the European Union using the unfounded allegation as a pretext to impose illegal sanctions on Iran.

Tehran has categorically rejected West's accusation, arguing that as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a committed member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it is entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Rafsanjani stated that the Iranians chose for “Islamic moderation” through their massive turnout in the June 14 presidential election which he described as a “miraculous move.”

The election was won by Hassan Rohani who took office on August 4.

Rafsanjani expressed hope for a boom in national production and other economic sectors under the presidency of Rohani.