Iran Decries New U.S. Sanctions as ‘Economic Terrorism’

Iran’s Foreign Ministry criticizes new U.S. sanctions as “economic terrorism,” asserting they undermine international rights. The sanctions target individuals involved in oil trade linked to Iran’s military. Tensions persist as discussions about Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief face delays ahead of expected diplomatic talks.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has issued a strong denunciation of new U.S. sanctions targeting individuals and entities in Iran and other countries. Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson, branded these actions as a blatant example of “economic terrorism” by the U.S., expressing dismay over what he perceives as a violation of international rights.

On Thursday, Baghaei articulated that such sanctions signify U.S. policymakers’ continuing disregard for laws and their attempts to disrupt positive diplomatic relations among developing nations. He stated that these latest measures reflect the contradictory stance of U.S. leaders and their lack of genuine engagement in diplomatic discussions.

The sanctions were levied by the U.S. Treasury and State Departments on Tuesday and Wednesday, targeting six individuals based in Iran, along with 13 entities in Iran and abroad. These sanctions allegedly stem from their involvement in trading Iranian petroleum, petrochemicals, and procuring ingredients for ballistic missile propellants on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

Furthermore, the U.S. announced sanctions on five companies located outside of Iran implicated in selling Iranian oil. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that as long as Iran pursues oil and petrochemical revenues to fund its destabilizing initiatives, the U.S. would take measures against Iran and its partners.

This development arrives just before the fourth round of talks between Iran and the U.S., scheduled for Saturday in Rome, where Iran aims for relief from existing sanctions in exchange for limitations on its nuclear program. Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has re-instated a campaign termed “maximum pressure” on Iran, paralleling his strategies from his previous term, while simultaneously extending invitations for dialogue.

Earlier this year, Trump communicated with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stressing the urgency of talks while cautioning about potential military responses should talks not advance. This new round of discussions was initially set for Saturday in Rome but has since faced postponement amid ongoing tensions.

In summary, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has vocally condemned the latest U.S. sanctions, labeling them as an act of “economic terrorism.” The situation underscores the complexities surrounding U.S.-Iran relations, especially with ongoing diplomatic talks looming. While the U.S. continues its tough stance through sanctions to curb Iran’s alleged destabilizing actions, the Iranian government seeks opportunities for dialogue and a reprieve from sanctions amid an already strained atmosphere. The postponed talks may further complicate the already delicate negotiations about Iran’s nuclear program.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com