"Missile defense programs of the Islamic Republic of Iran are completely legitimate and are not even at odds with [the United Nations Security Council] Resolution 2231," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Friday in reaction to the US Senate's decision to impose new sanctions on Tehran.

"No measure will be able to deny  the Islamic Republic of Iran from its legitimate defense right," he added.

The US Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill imposing sanctions on Iran over its missile program among other things.

The legislation still must pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and be signed by President Donald Trump to become law.