Iran weighs legal action against U.S., EU

TEHRAN, July 30 (UPI) -- An Iranian legal affairs official said Tehran planned to take action against the U.S. and European governments for sanctioning its oil sector.

U.S. and European sanctions meant to block Iranian crude oil deliveries went into force in late June and early July, respectively. The sanctions are meant to encourage Iran to be more forthcoming about its nuclear program, which Tehran maintains is for peaceful purposes.

Majid Jafarzadeh, director of Iran's presidential center for international legal affairs, said legal measures against the U.S. and European governments were in Iran's best interest.

"The complaint will be registered and pursued soon based on international regulations," he was quoted by Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying, with few specifics.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week said economic pressures exerted by foreign governments aren't discouraging factors for Tehran.

"We will not rethink our calculations and we will continue to trod the path of the Iranian nation more resolutely," he said.

Some governments received a sanctions waiver from the U.S. government for "significantly" cutting back on Iranian crude oil imports.