Tehran:
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeir Bhagihai has denounced the US fresh sanctions on Iran and other countries for the pretext of working with Tehran in different regions, calling it a clear indication of US attempts to “economic terrorism.”
Sanctions imposed over the past few days are clear indications of US policymakers' claims against violations and violations of laws of other countries' rights and interests, and their bids to disrupt friendly and legal ties between developing countries through economic terrorism, Baguey said in a statement Thursday.
They are “another prominent evidence of the contradictory approach of US decision makers and the lack of goodwill and severity in pursuing the path of diplomacy,” he added.
Bagaei had responded to sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury and State Departments on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, against six Iran-based individuals and 13 entities in Iran and other countries.
The US said Wednesday it was imposing sanctions on five non-Iranian companies involved in Iran's oil sales.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “As long as Iran tries to fund its unstable activities and generate oil and petrochemical revenues to support terrorist activities and proxies, the US will take steps to ensure both Iran and all its partners engage in sanctions evacuation.”
The move ahead of Iran and the US' fourth round talk on Saturday in Rome, Tehran is seeking relief from sanctions in exchange for a curb in the nuclear program.
Since returning to the office in January, US President Donald Trump has revived a campaign of “maximum pressure” on Iran, reflecting his approach during his first term and simultaneously seeking dialogue.
In March he wrote to Iran's highest leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the power to finalize the policy of major states, urging consultations if Iran refuses and warning of the possibility of military action.
During his first term, Trump reconsidered the US from the nuclear deal between Iran and global power in 2015, reconsidered the biting sanctions and urged the Islamic Republic to roll back its commitments.
That's when the fourth round of indirect talks between Iran and the US through Oman, originally scheduled for Saturday in Rome, was postponed.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published by Syndicate Feed.)
