Iran Responds to US Sanctions, Deeming Them Economic Terrorism
Iran condemns new US sanctions, calling them ‘economic terrorism.’ The measures are seen as efforts to undermine Iran’s international relations and disrupt cooperation among developing nations. US officials maintain that they will hold Iran accountable for its actions, as tensions rise ahead of impending negotiations.
Tehran has responded emphatically to the newest sanctions imposed by the United States on Iranian entities and individuals. In a strong statement, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, labelled the sanctions as an instance of “economic terrorism,” underscoring what he views as attempts by the US to undermine Iran’s international relations and disrupt cooperation among developing nations.
Baghaei stated that the sanctions, which were enacted in the past few days, underscore US policymakers’ continuous disregard for international law and the rights of other countries. He criticized these actions as a clear sign of the US’s tendency to maintain complicated and contradictory positions when it comes to diplomacy. Furthermore, he argued that these sanctions reveal a lack of serious intent to foster any meaningful dialogue.
These sanctions include measures imposed by both the US Treasury and State Departments targeting six individuals and 13 entities within and outside Iran for alleged involvement in oil and petrochemical trading, as well as procuring materials for ballistic missiles on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Moreover, the US also levied sanctions against five foreign companies that were reportedly involved in selling Iranian oil. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the US will not tolerate any attempts by Iran to use oil revenue to fund destabilizing activities, stating that the United States will pursue accountability for all entities involved in sanctions evasion.
This development comes just before a much-anticipated round of negotiations between Iran and the US set for Saturday in Rome, where Iran is pushing for relief from sanctions in exchange for limiting its nuclear activities. Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has reinstated a policy of maximum pressure on Iran similar to his previous term, while also hinting at the willingness to engage in talks.
In a noteworthy letter addressed to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump expressed a desire for discussions but warned of potential military responses should Iran refuse to engage. His administration had previously exited the 2015 nuclear deal, re-imposing strict sanctions which prompted Iran to reduce its compliance with the agreement.
Interestingly, a fourth round of indirect talks—originally scheduled for Saturday in Rome and mediated by Oman—has reportedly been postponed. The ongoing situation remains fluid as both sides navigate these complex geopolitical waters.
In summary, the recent sanctions imposed by the United States have provoked strong condemnation from Iran, which describes these measures as economic terrorism. The escalating tensions highlight conflicting diplomatic approaches as both nations prepare for negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear activities. As the talks draw nearer, the evolving dynamics remain crucial to watch in the coming days.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
