国际英语新闻：Iran ready for unconditional talks on nuclear fuel swap

"They (sanctions) also help move away from common understanding, " the spokesman was quoted as saying.

On EU's move, he maintained that Iran has already reiterated that opportunities can be used and climate of cooperation can be made through taking correct policies.

European Union (EU) foreign ministers on Monday approved tougher sanctions on Iran over Tehran's nuclear program, including measures to block oil and gas investment and curtail its refining and natural gas capability.

EU's restrictive measures, which went beyond UN sanctions imposed on June 9, followed a similar U.S. move.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain has been in recent weeks seeking an agreement in the EU on a strong package of sanctions implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 1929. London also wanted a message to Iran that it can not just walk away from negotiations and expects no further pressure.

The new sanctions include restrictions on banking and insurance, transport, and investment in new oil and gas fields or technical assistance to oil and gas development.

On July 1, U.S. President Barack Obama signed a new Iran sanction bill into law, which was described by him as "striking at the heart" of Iranian government's nuclear ability.

UN Security Council adopted last month a resolution on the Iranian nuclear issue, prohibiting Iran from investing abroad in nuclear and enrichment operations, imposing new restrictions on Iran's import of conventional arms and allowing the Iranian ships in the international waters to be checked.

Iran has reiterated that its nuclear program is aimed at civilian use.