Iran condemns new EU sanctions

Iran today condemned stricter sanctions levelled by the European Union as neither constructive nor effective, and warned that the move would only complicate the nuclear dispute.

Iran on Tuesday condemned stricter sanctions levelled by the European Union (EU) as neither constructive nor effective, and warned that the move would only complicate the nuclear dispute.

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"These sanctions would neither help resumption of negotiations nor change the will of the Iranian nation to pursue its legitimate nuclear rights," ISNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast as saying.

The EU foreign ministers Monday approved a list of sanctions which go well beyond the measures approved by the UN.

The sanctions are meant to pressure Iran into ending its disputed uranium enrichment programme. Tehran says that the programme is purely for peaceful means, but the UN wants it halted until Iran proves that it is not trying to build a nuclear bomb.

"Under US pressure, the EU just closed its eyes and taken the wrong path, and eventually undermined its own independence," the spokesman said.

"Iran considers the latest EU move as another step towards enmity with the Iranian nation which will not only increase distrust but also have negative consequences for the initiators of these sanctions," Mehmanparast added.