Brazil opposes unilateral sanctions against Iran by U.S., EU

"In general, isolation contributes to more radicalism, only hits the poorest and most vulnerable, as we saw in Iraq. These sanctions that hinder trade make the country more dependent on others instead of allowing a more diversified contact," Amorim said.

Amorim also confirmed that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva signed on Tuesday a decree supporting a UN Security Council resolution to impose sanctions against Iran.

Amorim said though the Brazilian government considered the sanctions inappropriate and counterproductive, the country followed international rules.

"President Lula signed the decree because he follows the resolutions of the Security Council even when he does not agree with them, because he is devoted to the multilateralism and against unilateral decisions," Amorim said.

He said the decision "will not deeply affect" Brazil's ties with Iran.

The UN Security Council voted in June to impose harsher sanctions against Iran, but Brazil and Turkey voted against the measure at that time.

The two countries brokered a nuclear swap agreement with Iran in May to hand over much of its stock of low-enriched uranium in exchange for higher-enriched nuclear fuel unable to be used to develop atomic weapons.

The decision represents the end of the nuclear swap agreement, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com