BEIJING - China says new U.S. sanctions targeting Iran's central bank and its ability to sell petroleum abroad won't affect its business dealings with Tehran.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a briefing Friday that China's business dealings with Iran were normal and transparent and did not violate any U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Hong also reiterated China's skepticism over sanctions' effectiveness in resolving the dispute over Iran's nuclear program and said Beijing opposed unilateral sanctions that go beyond measures taken by the Security Council.

China is a major customer for Iranian oil and gas, and Chinese businesses operate a raft of projects in Iran, including selling telecommunications equipment.