Iran will give a crushing response to any US” adventurism”, says Jalali

Moscow, (ST) – The Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali warned that the country’s military will give a harsh response to any US military adventurism.

In his interview with Ria Novesti, Jalali pointed to Washington’s attempts to extend a UN ban on arms sales to Tehran that will expire in October, and said, “Ensuring its defense needs is Iran’s legitimate right, and when the restrictions are lifted, necessary steps will be made. Up to date, Iran has received offers on deliveries of military equipment and defensive armament, but the existing restrictions hindered deals in this area”.

Last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington technically remained a “participant” in the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in order to use a mechanism embedded within the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers to make the UN maintain the arms embargo on Tehran.

Diplomats say the United States would face a messy battle if it tries to trigger a return of sanctions, which includes the ban on Iran.

The United States has risen with the European parties to the deal the possibility of restoring sanctions if it is unable to get the 15-member Security Council to stop an arms embargo on Iran from expiring in October.

A resolution to do so needs’ yes’ nine votes and no vetoes by Russia, China, the United States, France or Britain.

Jalali stressed that his country has always been working to find sound and legal solutions, indicating that history showed that Iran was not the party in any war during the last century, but only defended itself.

Raghda Sawas