Iran Says New US Sanctions Illegal, Insulting

“The US House of Representatives, with the adoption of these non-nuclear sanctions, and in the event of its finalization and implementation, would ignore and threaten the implementation of a multilateral and international agreement that is the result of efforts made in several years,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said in a statement on Wednesday

Referring to the long history of the US Congress’ actions against the Iranian nation, Qassemi stressed that Washington has commitments to fulfil as per the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1, also known as JCPOA.

“A country’s domestic regulations and approvals cannot be used as a pretext for governments to evade their international responsibility,” he noted.

“Therefore, since the Islamic Republic of Iran has so far fully complied with its commitments as acknowledged by the IAEA and the P5+1 group of countries, it expects the other parties to the JCPOA, including the US government, to comply with their commitments,” Qassemi noted.

Tehran will carefully review the text and provisions of the US House’s bill if it is approved, he noted, adding, “The Islamic Republic believes that the provisions of the bill do not comply with the spirit and provisions of the JCPOA.”

“Therefore, as previously stated, Iran will take proportional countermeasures in line with its national interests,” he went on to say.

Qassemi said Iran’s foreign ministry considers the provisions of the bill regarding Iran’s military and missile capabilities totally unlawful, unjustified and unfounded.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled policy in the region is to fight against terrorism and to maintain collective security and good neighbourliness. Moreover, Iran’s missile program is also in line with the UNSC Resolution 2231 and nothing can prevent the Islamic Republic from pursuing and implementing the principled policy of increasing its defence capabilities,” he pointed out.

“The US congressmen accuse Iran of destabilizing the region while their government, by invading Iraq, had a key role in creating such terrorist groups as ISIS. The increase of instability and the current extremism in this region are the results of the unconsidered and irresponsible policies of this country and its regional allies,” Qassemi added.