Russia opposes unilateral sanctions on Iran: Deputy FM

Moscow, June 15 (Xinhua-ANI): Russia is against unilateral sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Friday.

Russia "has been and will continue to" oppose unilateral sanctions on Iran, including the European Union's decision to impose another oil embargo on Iran which is to take effect on July 1, Ryabkov told reporters.

Ryabkov urged the EU and the United States to restrain from imposing such sanctions "on the whole."

Ryabkov's remarks echoed a statement made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during his visit to Tehran this week and came a few days ahead of the Moscow round of talks between Iran and the six major world powers-Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Wednesday that Tehran was optimistic about the results of the Moscow talks, hoping the talks would be constructive.

Russia, a veto-wielding power at the UN Security Council, plays an influential role in talks over Iran's nuclear issue.

Iran and the six powers held the last round of nuclear talks in the Iraqi capital Baghdad in May. (Xinhua-ANI)