Iran has sanctioned an additional 61 Americans, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, for supporting an Iranian dissident group. Tehran announced Tuesday as months of negotiations to restore a 2015 nuclear deal stalled.

Others blacklisted by Iran's Foreign Ministry for supporting the exiled dissident Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) include former Republican president Donald Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani and former national security adviser John Bolton, according to Iranian state media.

The sanctions, which have been levied against scores of Americans for various reasons, allow Iranian officials to take whatever assets they retain in Iran. The actions revealed as Democratic US President Joe Biden concluded his tour to the Middle East appears to be primarily symbolic in light of the probable lack of such assets.

It has been widely reported that Giuliani, Pompeo, and Bolton, all Republicans, have participated in MEK gatherings and shown support for the organization. Bolton and Pompeo both served under Trump.

In January, Iran sanctioned 51 Americans, then in April, another 24.

Indirect discussions between Iran and the United States to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement began in November in Vienna and continued in June in Qatar. However, the conversations have stalled for months.

In 2018, Trump denounced the agreement, deeming it too lenient on Iran, and reimposed severe US sanctions, prompting Tehran to violate the agreement's nuclear restrictions.

The Biden administration vowed to help all Americans regardless of political or policy differences.

"United States citizens will be protected and defended. This includes both current and retired United States military personnel "Yesterday, a State Department spokeswoman stated. "We are united in our resolve against threats and provocations, and we will work with our allies and partners to deter and respond to any attacks carried out by Iran."