"We’re seriously concerned that further extension of US’s ‘black lists’ happened almost on the eve of talks on drawing up a in-depth agreement in order to completely resolve the case with the Iranian nuclear program," a Foreign Ministry statement says.

"Such actions don’t contribute to the Geneva spirit" and might seriously damage the negotiating process," the Ministry adds.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Director Ali Akbar Salehi said earlier if the recent nuclear deal with world powers is violated, Tehran can go back to where it was on the nuclear path in a matter of hours.

He said, “We will not be losing anything. We will be pursuing our work. We will be pursuing our peaceful nuclear activities.”

The nuclear deal between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – Russia, China, France, Britain and the US – plus Germany was clinched in the Swiss city of Geneva on November 24, 2013. The deal came to force on January 20.

Salehi said that the deal has provided an opportunity for the West to engage with Iran.

Iran and the Sextet of world powers are scheduled to hold the next round of talks in the Austrian capital Vienna on February 18.

“We hope that this time they really come with good intention and good faith. If they’re really coming with good faith and good intention, this is an opportunity that they can utilize,” Salehi said.

He stressed Tehran's readiness to continue negotiations on its nuclear program, saying, “We will keep on negotiating.”
Salehi's comments came after US senators lined up behind a new sanctions bill against Iran.

NJF/NJF