Iran warns US of 'destructive effects' of new sanctions amid talks
Iran has warned of the consequences of the US’ contradictory behavior and provocative positions amid indirect talks between the two countries, which have seen Washington impose new sanctions on Tehran.
The warning by Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei on Thursday came a day after the US State Department sanctioned seven entities in the UAE, Turkey and Iran for trading Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products.
“The sanctions that have been announced over the past few days under various pretexts against Iranian and non-Iranian individuals and companies are a clear sign of American policymakers’ insistence on breaking the law and violating the rights and interests of other countries, as well as their efforts to disrupt friendly and legal relations between developing countries through economic terrorism,” he said.
The sanctions are the latest round imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump on Iran since February, when he reimposed his so-called maximum pressure campaign on Tehran.
Trump, who ditched a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and world countries in 2018 during his first term and reimposed draconian sanctions on the country, has made repeated calls for diplomacy to reach a new deal with Tehran.
The new sanctions come as talks between the two countries are ongoing in Oman with another round of negotiations set for the upcoming days.
Baghaei said, “The sanctions, which are designed in line with the failed and criminal policy of maximum pressure against the great Iranian nation are another clear evidence of the contradictory approach of American decision-makers and their lack of goodwill and seriousness in advancing the path of diplomacy.”
“The responsibility for the consequences and destructive effects resulting from the contradictory behaviors and provocative statements of American officials regarding Iran will rest with the American side,” he added.
Baghaei touched on the United States’ “long history of hostility towards the Iranian people, including through economic sanctions and disruption of Iran’s scientific, economic, and technological development and progress, which has led to Iranians’ deep distrust and suspicion of the US”.
The spokesman reaffirmed the determination of the Iranian nation to resist the US policy of intimidation and pressure and to use all means to continue Iran’s path of honorable development”.
Mediated by Oman, Iran and the US have held three rounds of indirect talks in Muscat and Rome on April 12, 19 and 26 to reach a deal on Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions on Tehran.
Both parties have so far expressed satisfaction with the way the negotiations move on, praising the talks as “positive” and “moving forward.”
The fourth round of talks was set for Saturday in Rome, but on Thursday, Baghaei said it had been pushed back to a later date on Oman’s suggestion.
