Russia has criticized a new set of European Union sanctions against Iran as "unacceptable."
EU foreign ministers approved the sanctions on July 26, aimed at blocking Iran's controversial nuclear program.
In a statement today, Russia's Foreign Ministry said the use of sanctions outside of the UN Security Council's framework was "unacceptable."
They new sanctions are much tougher than UN sanctions agreed last month, including a ban on dealing with Iranian banks and insurance companies as well as measures to prevent investment in Tehran's lucrative oil and gas sector.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the new EU sanctions undermined international efforts to resolve concerns over Iran's nuclear program. It also condemned unilateral U.S. sanctions against Tehran approved last month.
compiled from agency reports