Iran Tensions: Russia Says It Will Counter 'Illegal' US Sanctions On Tehran
Russia says it will counter "illegal" sanctions Donald Trump plans to impose on Iran after the downing of a US drone.
Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov has not revealed what steps Russia would take in response to the measures taken by Donald Trump aimed at stopping the country from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Mr Ryabkov has said sanctions would increase tensions and that Washington should instead be seeking dialogue with Tehran, according to Russian news agencies.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the measures set to be imposed on the Middle Eastern country are illegal.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has arrived in Saudi Arabia where he has met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman amid heightened tensions with Iran - a rival of the Arab kingdom.
Mr Pompeo said he would be talking to officials in the Persian Gulf as well as Asia and Europe as he sets out to build an international coalition against Tehran.
He said the US is prepared to negotiate with Iran, but repeated Mr Trump's claim that new US sanctions will be imposed on Monday.