Iran has dismissed British Foreign Minister William Hague’s call for tightening anti-Iranian sanctions over the country’s peaceful nuclear program as “irresponsible” and in violation of the IAEA regulations

Iran has dismissed British Foreign Minister William Hague’s call for tightening anti-Iranian sanctions over the country’s peaceful nuclear program as “irresponsible” and in violation of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) regulations.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast stressed Iran is pursuing a civilian nuclear program under close supervision of the IAEA, IRNA reported.

The spokesman added Hague’s remarks follow the Non-Aligned Movement’s support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear program in the statement of its 16th summit in Tehran last month and are designed to overshadow the success of the summit.

During the European Union foreign ministerial talks in Cyprus earlier this week, Hague urged the EU to step up pressure on Iran through new sanctions on the country.

"It is necessary to increase the pressure on Iran, to intensify sanctions, to add further to the EU sanctions," Hague said.

He also insisted that Iran’s peaceful nuclear program should be “confronted and dealt with.”

However, Mehmanparast said “western countries should no more think about using the outdated instrument” of simultaneous talks and pressure as it is useless.

Western governments led by the US have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Iran rejects the allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the IAEA, it is entitled to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.