Iran condemns sanctions bill, says it will complicate nuclear talks

TEHRAN, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Iranian officials said Friday they condemn a U.S. sanctions bill toughing existing measures restricting the country's trading because of its nuclear program.

The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed the sanctions, which will further limit Iran's access to the global oil market.

The sanctions also punish customers who continue to buy Iranian oil, The Guardian reported.

"We have no doubts that sanctions is a failed policy," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Araqchi said. "Sanctions and intensifying them ... will only make the nuclear issue more complex and more difficult to resolve."

John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the house, and Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader, both spoke in favor of the measure, which was approved 400-20.

But some analysts said the measure creates a rift ahead of Hassan Rouhani's inauguration as president Sunday, The Guardian said.

The House's approval does not give Rouhani and the United States time to compromise, critics said.

The Senate will consider the bill in September.