TEHERAN - Iran's Foreign Ministry has summoned Hungarian Ambassador to Teheran Gyula Petho to protest the recent imposition of sanctions by the European Union against a number of Iranian individuals and entities.

The Hungarian envoy, whose country currently holds the EU's six-month rotating presidency, was summoned by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi, according to a statement released by the ministry on Tuesday.

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During the meeting, the Iranian official strongly protested the EU's decision, announced on Monday, to impose sanctions on seven Iranian individuals and seven entities over Teheran's alleged transfer of missiles and drones to Russia, noting that resorting to "illegal and coercive methods," such as sanctions, against Iran was in no way acceptable and would lead nowhere.

He stressed that Iran's military and defense cooperation with other states was "legal and to protect the country's national interests and security."

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Takht-Ravanchi said the EU's move to sanction three Iranian airlines was a "clear violation of the international law principles and regulations, especially the fundamental human rights and freedoms, and was in contradiction with the bloc's human rights claims."

The Hungarian ambassador, for his part, assured that he would convey Iran's protest to the EU officials.