Western sanctions 'illegal': Iran FM spokesman

TEHRAN - Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday that Western sanctions against Iran are "illegal".

Talking to reporters in his weekly press briefing, Mehmenparast referred to the recent European sanctions against Iran, saying that unilateral sanctions by Western countries against Iran are "illegal", "illogical" and are "inhumane".

According to the Western states, their sanctions on Iran are conducted under the pretext of the nuclear issue of the Islamic republic, he said, adding that this is just an "excuse" to pressure Iran.

If someday the nuclear issue of the country is concluded, the West will pressure Iran using other excuses, he maintained.

Iran will not allow the powers to interfere when it comes to its national interests and the powers will not be able to make Iran step down and retreat from its rights, he stressed.

On Monday, the European Union (EU) reinforced its fresh sanctions against Iran, including banning import of natural gas from Iran "over lack of progress in nuclear talks". EU, however, also stressed a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue while urging the country to "comply with all its international obligations".

The West has been accusing Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under civilian disguise, a charge that has always been denied by Tehran.