Iran calls tough Western moves on oil sector 'political warfare'

Iran voiced its opposition to tightening Western sanctions, calling the new US sanctions "political warfare" and vowing to counter by retooling the country's oil-dependent economy.

Western sanctions on Iran's oil sector are a "ridiculous" move that seeks to deprive the world of energy resources at a time when demand is growing, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

The comments came a day after US President Barack Obama ordered new sanctions on Iran's energy sector and on banks in China and Iraq that the US claims help the Islamic country avoid international penalties.