Russia opposes additional sanctions on Iran

Russia opposed additional sanctions levied on Iran by the European Union (EU) and the United States, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

"We categorically reject all attempts to project internal laws of the European Union and the United States on third countries, or to apply sanctions against companies and individuals of states, which conscientiously fulfill the UN Security Council's resolutions," said ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko as quoted by Interfax news agency.

EU foreign ministers on Monday endorsed tougher sanctions on Iran's nuclear program, including measures to block oil and gas investment and curtail its refining and natural gas production capability.

The EU's restrictive measures, which went beyond UN sanctions imposed on June 10, followed a similar U.S. move.

Commenting on this, Nesterenko reiterated Moscow's stance that "using unilateral or collective action of sanctions on Iran" that goes beyond the UN Security Council regime was "inadmissible."

"This not only undermines our joint efforts to seek political and diplomatic settlement of the situation around the Iranian nuclear program, but also shows disregard for the carefully monitored and coordinated UN Security Council resolutions," the spokesman said.

Nesterenko called the EU and U.S. moves disrespectful of the principles of teamwork.

Source: Xinhua