Iran: Sanctions prove US hostility, its claim of diplomacy ‘dishonest’
Iran says each new package of sanctions indicates that the United States is pursuing a hostile approach toward the Iranian people and its claim of diplomacy should not be trusted.
“Each new sanctions package increases the burden on American policymakers as it constitutes a crime against humanity,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said at his weekly press conference on Monday.
It also “proves that Americans have a hostile view towards the people of Iran and that no one should believe their claim of seriousness in diplomacy,” he added.
He emphasized that the US is not committed to anything and this adds to the difficulty of the negotiations.
He reiterated Iran’s insistence on the path of diplomacy as it has nothing to hide, saying, “Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful. This approach reflects our seriousness for negotiations.”
The Iranian spokesperson emphasized that the continuation of the US sanctions would have no impact on the Islamic Republic’s will but would call into question America’s seriousness.
Iran has repeatedly dismissed the significance of US sanctions and their impacts on its economy. However, authorities have warned that issuing sanctions amid ongoing nuclear talks may undermine Tehran’s confidence in the process.
The talks between Iran and the US began in early April under Oman’s mediation. They have held four rounds of indirect talks so far on Tehran’s nuclear program and the termination of sanctions.
Both sides have described their indirect meetings as generally positive.
Enrichment right ‘non-negotiable’
Asked about the latest claim by US President Donald Trump’s regional envoy Steve Witkoff, who said that Washington would not allow Iran to have even a one-percent enrichment capability, Baghaei said, “The issue of enrichment is part of the natural cycle of Iran’s nuclear industry and is in no way negotiable.”
He emphasized that Iran’s enrichment technology is necessary to ensure that the country’s nuclear industry would continue with no stop.
“Enrichment is Iran’s legal right and we have explicitly announced our stance,” the spokesperson stated.
He criticized American officials for making contradictory positions when they return home following every round of indirect talks with Iran and said they should respond whether they are serious in the talks.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday warned the United States against making “unrealistic demands” in talks, saying Tehran will continue its enrichment program with or without a deal with Washington.
The top Iranian negotiator said that such statements were “completely detached from the reality of negotiations.”
In a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday, Araghchi said Iran is ready to reach a win-win deal on its nuclear program if the US sanctions against the country are terminated.
He reaffirmed Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy, stressing that Tehran will never give up the right.
In response to a question about certain European countries’ insistence on triggering the snapback mechanism, the Iranian spokesman said Tehran would not leave any unjust or unfriendly measure unanswered.
Baghaei added that using the snapback mechanism has no legal basis as Iran’s nuclear program is completely peaceful.
“The use of this mechanism means that the parties do not recognize a negotiating approach at all and seek to use means of intimidation. Naturally, we will take reciprocal actions,” he emphasized.
He expressed hope that European countries would revise the path they have taken and avoid misusing the snapback mechanism, which is a “double-edged sword.”
The so-called snapback mechanism allows for the return of anti-Iran sanctions that were suspended under the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Israel plays ‘destructive role’
Baghaei said Israel plays a destructive role in the negotiations and carries out acts of sabotage, adding that the regime has proved that it knows no boundaries in violation of international rules and regulations.
He noted that the developments in Gaza, the occupation of the Syrian and Lebanese territory, attacks on Yemen and the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists are just examples of the Israeli regime’s acts of sabotage.
Baghaei said Israel is likely to resort to deceitful actions to point the finger at Iran and create a pretext for conflicts in the region.
He warned that all countries should be vigilant to ensure that the Tel Aviv regime does not commit any act in violation of international peace.
Constructive role of Oman, Qatar
Elsewhere in his presser, Baghaei hailed the constructive role of Qatar and Oman in the indirect Iran-US talks.
He said Iran has “very good” relations with all the Persian Gulf littoral states and Foreign Minister Araghchi discussed the Tehran-Washington talks with the authorities of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates during his regional tour last week.
Iran expects the Persian Gulf littoral states to heed regional interests and choose approaches that promote a strong region free from the influence of third parties outside the region, the spokesperson said.
Europe should respond to Iran’s goodwill attitude
Baghaei said Europeans are definitely able to play a constructive role in negotiations but they chose to be absent in the process.
“They [Europeans] did not show that they are pursuing a constructive approach; on the contrary, by proposing unconstructive resolutions in the Board of Governors, they indicated that their approach is not constructive,” the Iranian spokesman explained.
He reiterated that Iran has pursued an attitude with Europeans based on goodwill and now they should respond to Iran’s goodwill behavior.
Baghaei further said preliminary works on the Iran-Russia strategic partnership treaty started during the tenure of the former Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, who lost his life in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran in May 2024 and honored his legacy.
The Iranian Parliament would hold discussions about the bill of the treaty, he noted.
