UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- A letter by Iran, which asks the United Nations for pushback against U.S. new sanctions, "is being circulated to the Security Council," a UN spokesman said Wednesday.

Iranian UN envoy Majid Takht Ravanchi reportedly sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday to ask for pushback against the United States after it imposed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed Wednesday that the letter "is being circulated to the Security Council at the request of the drafters."

He added the UN chief calls on all parties to avoid any actions that would escalate an already very tense situation.

Published reports have said the letter accused the United States of a "brazen violation of the fundamental principles of international law" and asked Guterres to "to play your active role in preserving the integrity of the United Nations in line with your responsibility to counter the current dangerous trend."

On July 31, the U.S. administration sanctioned Zarif, alleging he "acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran," who was placed under sanctions in June.

According to a U.S. Treasury Department statement, all property and interests in property of Zarif that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to the U.S. government.

Any foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates a significant transaction for or on behalf of Zarif would also face punishment by the U.S. government.

In response, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani dismissed the sanctions as "childish."