New US Bans Have No International Legal Ground, Says Zarif
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran will “proportionally” respond to new US sanctions on Tehran’s missile program.
“No measure against the Islamic Republic of Iran will go unanswered and we will respond proportionally to any move,” Zarif told the IRIB 1 television channel late Monday night.
Zarif said US claims about Iran’s missile activities are unlawful, citing UN Resolution 2231 which only bans development of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
“While Resolution 1929 banned any missile-related activities, this restraint in Resolution 2231 only includes missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. This is while we basically do not need such missiles,” he said.
“This US claim has no international ground and, as per the directive of President (Hassan Rouhani), we will continue our missile activities more than before with the aim of deterrence,” Zarif added.
Iran successfully test-fired its domestically-built Emad ballistic missile on October 11, 2015.
On Sunday, the US Department of the Treasury announced new sanctions on several individuals and firms over Iran’s missile program, a day after similar bans were officially lifted against the Islamic Republic.
The new sanctions were in response to Iran’s successful test of its first guided ballistic missile, Emad, in October.
Reacting to the bans, President Hassan Rouhani ordered Iran’s Defense Ministry to expedite boosting the country’s missile capabilities.
On Monday, Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said Iran would unveil new homemade missiles in the near future.
“Any attempt to impose new sanctions under irrelevant pretexts is indicative of continued US hostile policy and antagonism with the Iranian nation, and a futile effort to undermine Iran’s defense might,” Dehqan said.
Saudis’ Iranophobia creating tensions in Middle East – Zarif
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia tries to achieve its regional goals by promoting “Iranophobia” and creating tensions in the region, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says.
Zarif made the remarks during an interview broadcast on Iranian TV on Monday, adding that the Saudis’ actions result from their fear over the implementation of Iran’s nuclear agreement with world powers.
Zarif noted that among other actions, Saudi Arabia executed top cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and reduced oil prices to stoke regional tensions.
“Cutting oil prices harmed them more than it harmed us,” he said, adding that the “Saudis cannot further their policies by propagating Iranophobic lies.”
Iran does not seek to create regional tensions and has never done so, he noted, adding that, “As a powerful country, Iran will move past all these desperate actions” but will not allow anybody to disrespect its people.
“Enmity with Iran has never had any benefits for anyone, including the regional powers, and the interest of our friends in the region is in treading the path of friendship,” he stated.
On Saturday, Zarif and European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini announced that sanctions imposed on Tehran have been lifted as the nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), came into force after the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran had met its commitments under the historic deal.
Iran and the P5+1 countries, the United States, Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany – finalized the JCPOA in Vienna on July 14, 2015.
PRESS T.V
R.S