Russia slams unilateral Iran sanctions
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has censured unilateral US and European sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, warning the move might worsen the situation.
In an interview with American daily The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, he said that unilateral sanctions against Iran would inflict damage on talks with Tehran and hurt the Iranian people.
In addition to the fourth round of the UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on Iran, approved on June 9, the US and the EU have imposed tougher measures on Tehran.
The new EU sanctions, which could come into effect within weeks, target the financial, transport, and banking sectors as well as investments in or sale of equipment to Iranian oil and gas companies.
The EU measures come after the US imposed unilateral sanctions against Iran on Wednesday. The US sanctions include blacklisting a state bank and a group of companies, and seek to freeze any assets Iranian companies may have under US jurisdiction.
Medvedev urged world powers to “act collectively” on Iran in order to solve its nuclear issue.
“We didn’t agree to this when we discussed the joint resolution at the UN,” he told the newspaper. “We should act collectively. If we do, we will have the desired result.”
On Thursday, Russia called the US and EU unilateral sanctions against Iran disappointing, saying such moves could undermine future cooperation on Iran.
“We are extremely disappointed that neither the United States nor the European Union heed our calls to refrain from such moves,” Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
