TEHRAN – Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanaei has said despite new U.S. sanctions, Iran’s relations with Russia have been expanding.

“Sanctions are not a new phenomenon and Iran is trying to become more self-sufficient in the sanctions era,” Fars on Saturday quoted Sanaei as saying.

He also said unlike past sanctions the new ones were unilaterally imposed by the U.S. and create the opportunity “to boost bilateral cooperation and reduce our dependency on other countries’ decisions.”

In May 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from the 2015 nuclear deal and ordered sanctions against Iran.

MH/PA