Iran says new US sanctions could affect talks

TEHRAN: Iran on Tuesday warned that new US sanctions targeting its access to surveillance technology were "negative" and could adversely affect its crucial talks next month with world powers over Tehran's nuclear programme.

"We consider any kind of sanction as negative and a wrong step," foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in his weekly briefing.

"Any decision by Western officials, including the Americans, can affect the atmosphere of talks," he said

Mehmanparast was reacting to measures announced by US President Barack Obama on Monday aimed at preventing Iran, and its chief ally Syria, from acquiring surveillance software and monitoring equipment to control its population.

The extra sanction targets companies that help Tehran create systems to track or monitor people to help violent repression.

Obama's executive order was announced ahead of May 23 talks to be held in Baghdad between Iran and the so-called P5+1 group comprising the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.