Iran’s foreign ministry challenges the legitimacy and effectiveness of EU sanctions against its nuclear programme. Foreign ministry spokesman says they will make the government even more determined to go ahead.

Tehran (AsiaNews) – EU Sanctions will not have any effect on Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy. For Tehran they represent an “illegal and contradictory behaviour” in dealing with its nuclear programme.

Last week the European Union approved new economic sanctions against Iran. They include a ban on some 20 individuals and 15 organisations linked to the nuclear programme.

The European operations of Bank Melli, Iran’s largest bank, will be stopped and its assets frozen. The same will happen to Iranian firms whose involvement in the nuclear programme ahs been proven. A travel ban on high-level political and military officials dealing with Iran's nuclear programme will be imposed.

The sanctions came after Tehran did not respond to an EU proposal last week brought by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in a visit to Tehran. The European Union offered Iran a pledge of Western cooperation if it suspended its nuclear enrichment programme.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini delivered Tehran’s response today.

A “carrot and stick policy” will not stop Iran's in pursuing its rights and the national will of the “great Iranian nation,” he said. “This kind of behaviour will make the Iranian nation and government more determined in obtaining its rights.”

He advised the European Union to pay more attention to an acceptable solution rather than go for ridiculous measures.

• iran
• european
• union
• sanctions
• nuclear
• enrichment
• programme
• mohammad-ali
• hosseini