"This US claim is like other allegations that independent countries are being accused of, without providing any evidence," the state shipping company said in a statement.

The United States said on Wednesday it would slap sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and 18 other affiliated entities for providing logistical services to Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics.

"Not only does IRISL facilitate the transport of cargo for UN designated proliferators, it also falsifies documents and uses deceptive schemes to shroud its involvement in illicit commerce," said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, in a statement.

The Iranian shipping company declined transportation of military cargo as a baseless claim, IRNA quoted the statement as saying.

"The sanctions by the United States will not have any effect on the activity of the IRISL or the traffic of this company's ships in international waters and ports," it said.

"The Islamic republic's shipping company will pursue the US government's accusations via international institutions," it added.