Russia's Value Of "illegal" Sanctions Against Iran Is In The Crisis Of Its Nuclear Program

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova. (Twitter/@mfa_russia)

Russia said Thursday that the re-imposition of UN sanctions on Iran was an illegal act, driven by European powers, deepening the crisis over the country's nuclear program.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said the re-implementation of the sanctions was the result of "manipulation" by Britain, Germany, and France.

"Therefore, the results are null and legal and cannot impose any legal obligations on other countries," he said at a press conference.

The United Nations reimposed sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program on September 27, following a process known as a snapshotback, triggered by the three European countries.

Iran will again be subject to an arms embargo and a ban on all uranium reprocessing and enrichment activities, as well as all activities related to ballistic missiles capable of launching nuclear weapons.

Tehran, which denies any intention to make nuclear weapons, has warned the move will be responded with a strong response.

Russia is known to have close ties to Iran, supporting its right to peaceful nuclear energy and condemning the US and Israeli bombings of Iran's nuclear site in June.