Sanctions against Iran

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that US sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of Russian defense systems were an attack on Ankara's sovereign rights aimed at deterring its defense industry, a move which he said was bound to fail.

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that US sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of Russian defense systems were an attack on Ankara's sovereign rights aimed at deterring its defense industry, a move which he said was bound to fail.

The U.S. sanctions announced this week are a "blatant attack" on Turkish sovereignty, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Dec. 16.

"What kind of an alliance is this? This decision is an open attack on our sovereignty," Erdoğan said at a highway opening ceremony via teleconference.

Permanent representatives of the 27 member states of the European Union agreed on a six-month extension of economic sanctions against Russia, which expire on January 31, 2021, a source in the delegation of one of the European countries in the EU Council told TASS.

"Yes, the ambassadors have just agreed to extend the restrictive measures until July 31, 2021," the source said.

US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt briefed Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Tuesday on Washington's decision to impose sanctions on Turkey over Ankara's purchase of a Russian missile defense system.

The NATO chief on Dec. 15 urged allies to find a "positive solution" after the U.S. decided to impose sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense systems.

Turkey's Presidential High Advisory Board on Dec. 15 condemned the U.S. unilateral sanctions over Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, said the country's communications director.

The meeting of the board, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, lasted almost one and a half an hour.

US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt met with Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias in Athens on Tuesday to brief the Greek official on the US government's recent decision to impose sanctions on Turkey over Ankara's purchase of a Russian missile defense system.

The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on a key Turkish defence agency over Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system.

Turkey took possession of the Russian missiles last year, despite repeated warnings from the US that it would lead to sanctions.

The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) issued a statement on Monday hailing the Trump administration's announcement to impose sanctions on Turkey for its acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, which is in violation of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).