Iran Press/ Iran News: The Portuguese ambassador to Tehran, Carlos Costa Neves, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry and Iran strongly protested against the European Union's illegal action.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the sanction of Iranian citizens and entities a politicized approach by the EU to human rights affairs.
The Portuguese ambassador also said that he would convey the matter to Brussels.
The Council of the European Union yesterday added eight individuals and three institutions to its sanctions list on the pretext of human rights violations.
In response, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman condemned the sanctions, saying that Iran was suspending comprehensive talks with the European Union, including human rights talks and all related cooperation.
According to the Foreign Ministry spokesman, Iran is considering its own sanctions in response to the EU action, which will be announced subsequently.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, stated that Europe should know that it is not morally in a superior position.
In response to a question about the recent approach and actions of the Europeans, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the European Union in recent years, by failing to fulfill its obligations and by succumbing to US pressure, had shown that it was gradually losing its place in international relations. 219
