Official: Iran sanctions could chill talks

TEHRAN, July 31 (UPI) -- Threats of new sanctions against Iran could compromise negotiations between the West and the Islamic republic, an Iranian official said Thursday.

Iran's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency, said U.S threats against Tehran could result in increased diplomatic tensions, RIA Novosti reported.

"The statements made by U.S. officials that Iran must suspend its uranium enrichment program do not deserve any attention and only harm the constructive atmosphere, reached during the talks" in Geneva, Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh told Iran's Press TV.

"We believe that rather than making these statements they should seek ways for continued constructive dialogue on a peaceful resolution of the problems," he said.

The U.S. State Department Wednesday that Iran had until Saturday's deadline to respond to a proposal that requires the country to suspend its uranium enrichment or it would face "diplomatic consequences."

Already, Iran is under three sets of U.N. Security Council sanctions for defying demands to halt its uranium enrichment program.