Kremlin says 'illegal' Western sanctions on Iran over nuclear programme should be lifted

MOSCOW, March 14 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Friday that Western sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear programme were illegal and should be lifted.

It made its comments as China hosted a meeting with Iran and Russia in which Beijing and Moscow stood by Tehran after the United States demanded nuclear talks with it, with senior Chinese and Russian diplomats saying dialogue should only resume based on "mutual respect."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Iran had never announced its intention to develop nuclear weapons, but had every right to develop its civilian nuclear energy programme, something he said Moscow was helping it with.

"The Iranian side has never spoken of its intention to acquire nuclear weapons," said Peskov. "so in that regard all sanctions and restrictions (on it) are illegal."

He said efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the problem should continue.