Sanctions not to hurt legitimate trade interests with Iran: Krishna

India yesterday reiterated that Iran remained its key energy supplier and a unilateral US sanction would not be allowed to impact "legitimate trade interests" between the two nations.

Foreign minister SM Krishna said that in a globalised world, sanctions decided unilaterally or regionally could not have an impact on the markets and such measures should not impact on legitimate trade interests. The minister's remarks came after meeting his visiting Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi.

Salehi too said Iran had always been a reliable partner of India and would continue to be reliable in matters concerning energy security. Salehi also briefed Krishna on the recent discussions between Iran and the P5+1 in Baghdad on Tehran's nuclear programme.

Krishna said India had always held that the nuclear issue needed to be resolved through peaceful diplomacy and the framework of the IAEA provided the best forum to address the technical aspects of the issue.

The US sanctions on Iran's central bank would take effect on 28 June while the EU oil embargo will begin 1 July.

Krishna said India had always abided by the UN Security Council resolutions on Iran's nuclear issue.