U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before departing from the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, June 22, 2019. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)
MOSCOW, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry blasted the United States on Tuesday for increasing pressure on Iran despite its commitment to maintain dialogue with Tehran.
"Washington, which considers itself the master of destinies of the world, is pursuing an increasingly aggressive policy, hastily attempting to punish those who are not going to obey U.S. dictate," it said in a statement.
The United States demands unjustified concessions, including the abandonment of its legitimate interests, from Iran, whose nuclear activities are exclusively peaceful and fully controlled by the International Atomic Energy Agency, the ministry said.
Russia expresses its full solidarity with Iran, said the ministry, warning that the U.S. policy may cause the destabilization of the Middle East and undermine international security.
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order for sanctions targeting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his office and those closely affiliated with him. Washington also announced that it will sanction Iran's foreign minister next week.
The new U.S. sanctions came after Iran downed a U.S. drone last week. Tehran said the drone had violated the country's airspace, an accusation which the United States has denied.
