Russia Says to Counter New US Sanctions on Iran

In the comments reported by TASS and RIA news agencies, Ryabkov did not specify what those steps would be.

He said the imposition of US sanctions would aggravate tensions, and Washington should instead be seeking dialogue with Tehran, according to Reuters.

Trump has said the United States will impose "major" new sanctions on Iran in two days - a move sure to exacerbate tensions with the Islamic Republic.

"We are putting major additional Sanctions on Iran on Monday," Trump tweeted. "I look forward to the day that Sanctions come off Iran, and they become a productive and prosperous nation again - The sooner the better!"

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said new sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran are illegal.

Tensions between Iran and the US saw a sharp rise on the first anniversary of Washington's exit from a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).  

The US moved to ratchet up pressure on Iran by tightening its oil sanctions and sending military reinforcements, including an aircraft carrier strike group, a squadron of B-52 bombers, and a battery of patriot missiles, to the Persian Gulf region.

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