Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that Iran does not seek revenge on Europeans over European Union (EU)'s embargo on the Islamic republic, local media reported Thursday.

In January, the EU foreign ministers approved new sanctions against Tehran, which prevent its member states from buying the Iranian crude. The sanctions went into effect on Sunday.

Ahmadinejad reprimanded the EU for their hostile policies against the Islamic republic, saying the country has never sought to avenge Europe's imposition of hardships, Press TV reported on Thursday.

It is not clear what the European countries and EU will benefit from their enmity and opposition to Iran, said Ahmadinejad in a meeting with the new Portuguese ambassador to Iran, Mario Fernando Damash Nunes, on Wednesday.

The international relations need to be built on friendship and mutual respect among governments and nations, he was quoted as saying.

The Portuguese ambassador submitted his credentials to the Iranian president and called for enhanced bilateral relations in areas of politics, culture, sports and academy.

He expressed hope that the 27-nation EU would revisit its position on Iran, saying his respective country supports the rights of the Iranian people and their peace and security, according to Press TV.