Iran's Ambassador to Italy Seyyed Mohammad-Ali Hosseini says supporting West-led sanction scenario against Iranian oil industry does not serve interests of the Italian nation. 

In an interview with Italian news agency ANSA on Saturday, Hosseini emphasized that “expressing support for Iran's oil ban” on the part of Italy would “inflict damage to [Tehran-Rome] mutual interests and common desires.” 

This comes while EU member states are scheduled to meet on January 23 to discuss the proposed embargo on Iran's oil exports. 

EU states have already agreed on the general outlines of Iran's oil embargo as the latest in a series of US-led measures taken up by some Western states to intensify pressure on Tehran over its civilian nuclear program. 

The issue European measures against Iran's oil industry comes after the US sanctions announced on New Year's Eve, aiming to make it impossible for most refineries to purchase Iranian crude. 

On Saturday, December 31, 2011, US President Barack Obama signed into law fresh economic sanctions against Iran's Central Bank requiring foreign financial firms to make a choice between doing business with Iran's Central Bank and oil sector or with the US financial sector. 

Referring to US-backed sanctions against Iran, Hosseini also expressed hope that US officials “take rational decisions” so that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open and serve the interests of all the regional and foreign states. 

Iran's military and civilian officials have vowed that in case an oil embargo is actually imposed on the country, Iran will respond by closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, making it impossible for other oil producing countries in the Persian Gulf to export oil as well.