Iran scoffs at EU nuclear sanctions

Tehran: Iran says the additional sanctions by the European Union will not affect Tehran's nuclear program.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini has said in a statement that the "carrot and stick policy" by the 27-nation bloc won't stop Iran's "pursuit to realize its nuclear rights."

Hosseini said the new sanctions would only damage European interests in Iran. A copy of his statement was made available to the Associated Press on Tuesday.

EU nations on Monday approved additional financial and travel restrictions on a list of Iranian companies - including the country's largest bank, Bank Melli Iran.

Earlier in June, EU unsuccessfully proposed a package of economic incentives in return for an end to Iran's uranium enrichment program.