Iran says EU sanctions will hurt eurozone TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- A spokesman for the Iranian government said European sanctions on Tehran may cause more problems for a distressed eurozone. The European Union this week targeted the Iranian energy sector as well as its Central Bank in response to ongoing nuclear transparency concerns. Ramin Mehmanparast, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Minister, was quoted by state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying EU actions may be counterproductive. "This approach will not only fail to help resolve issues, but will also have a negative impact on the European economy at the time of present economic crisis and the Europe should be ready to face its consequences," he said. His comments came as Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, met Wednesday with British officials to discuss nuclear energy and security issues. British Foreign Secretary William Hague praised the IAEA's rule in providing nuclear non-proliferation assurances. "The U.K. continues to fully support the role of the agency in addressing challenges to the non-proliferation regime, in particular the Iranian nuclear program," said Hague in a statement. The IAEA had said there may be certain military aspects to parts of the Iranian nuclear program, which Tehran says is for peaceful purposes.