“We welcome diffusion of tensions in the region. We do not want rise of tensions,” Abbas Mousavi was quoted as saying by ISNA news agency.

:: Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman said on Monday Tehran welcomes any diffusion of tensions in the Gulf region following weeks of deteriorating relations with Washington.

“We welcome diffusion of tensions in the region. We do not want rise of tensions,” Abbas Mousavi was quoted as saying by ISNA news agency.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman calls comments made by the UK’s Minister of State for the Middle East “unconstructive”, adding that the UK is siding with the US against Tehran, Fars reports.

The new economic sanctions that the United States is preparing to impose on Iran will have no “impact,” Mousavi said.

“We really do not know what (the new sanctions) are and what they want to target anymore, and also do not consider them to have any impact,” he added.