Russia has expressed deep concern over the new EU sanctions against Iran, saying the measures will "undermine the resumption of negotiations" with Tehran. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday: "We are very concerned by the European Union's adoption on October 15 of a new series of unilateral sanctions against Iran." The EU foreign ministers on Monday agreed on a new round of sanctions against Iran, in spite of a UN warning against the humanitarian ramifications of the previous bans. The statement added: "We will continue to consistently seek to achieve the organization of the next round of negotiations ... as soon as possible." Earlier on Wednesday, UN nuclear chief Yukiya Amano expressed hope that a meeting between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran could be held “in the very near future.” EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday that she hopes turning up the heat on Iran will persuade the country to make concessions. The illegal US-engineered sanctions were imposed based on the unfounded allegation that Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. Iran rejects the allegations and argues that as a committed signatory to Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of International Atomic Energy Agency, it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.