Iran has denounced new sanctions imposed by the European Union and Canada that target the country's energy, foreign trade and banking sectors.
The sanctions aim in part to curb investment and trade in Iran's lucrative oil and gas industries.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said the sanctions will not affect Tehran, and will not help in resuming talks about its nuclear program.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the sanctions are "unacceptable" and go against the U.N. Security Council efforts to resolve the situation.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the sanctions send a powerful message to Iran that its nuclear program is a cause of "serious and growing" concern. But she said the EU goal remains to persuade Iran to return to the negotiating table.
VOA News
