Iran calls Hague’s remarks irresponsible

(MNA) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Saturday described the recent remarks by British Foreign Secretary William Hague on intensifying sanctions against Iran for its peaceful nuclear activities as “irresponsible”.

Talking to reporters before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Cyprus, Hague said, “It is necessary to increase pressure on Iran, to intensify sanctions, to add further to EU sanctions that are already enforced.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the Islamic Republic’s nuclear activities are under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency and such comments constitute a serious violation of the IAEA regulations.

Mehmanparast pointed to the summit of the 120-member Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran in late August in which the members issued a statement expressing support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities.

He added that West should not take the “outmoded” carrot and stick approach on Iran.