Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi said the Islamic republic welcomes Western oil embargo on Saturday.

Rahimi said Saturday that harsh punitive measures against Iran both signify the country's power and strengthen its self-reliance, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

The Iranian high-ranking official's remarks came as the new European Union (EU) oil embargo on the Islamic republic will take effect from Sunday.

He called on the country's officials to embrace the sanctions as they would consolidate the nation's unity and progress, said Fars.

"We should greet the oil sanctions provided that we stay together," Rahimi said, addressing a ceremony on the occasion of the National Day of Industry and Mine on Saturday.

Rahimi said that Iran has the 17th largest world economy, and noted, "Tough sanctions indicate Iran's greatness and grandeur," according to Fars.

Also, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili said that " illegitimate" moves by the West will harm nuclear talks, the semi- official Mehr news agency reported on Friday.

In a letter to EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday, Jalili warned that "the use of illegitimate tools," implying sanctions, against Iran will hurt the ongoing talks between Iran and the major powers, said the report.

Iran is ready to play a role in the initiatives which pave the way for successful talks, he said only a few days ahead of the start of EU oil embargo on Iran.

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