TEHRAN, Iran — Tehran's intelligence chief has shrugged off a new EU ban on the purchase of Iranian oil, insisting the world economy is so diversifed that sanctions will be ineffective.
Iran’s state IRNA news agency reported Tuesday that Heidar Moslehi also argued sanctions have even brought benefits to the country, making it economically self-sufficient.
He made the defiant comments late Monday, after the European Union imposed an oil embargo against Iran, part of sanctions to pressure Tehran into resuming talks on the country’s controversial nuclear program.
Tehran’s response has been harsh, with two lawmakers threatening that their country would close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in retaliation.
The U.S. and its allies accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.
