FM Zarif Calls New US Sanctions against Iran “Illegal”

"We believe these sanctions are uncalled for. We believe the sanctions are illegal. They violate basic principles. The Iranian missile program is a legitimate defense program,” Zarif, who is currently in the Swiss city of Davos to attend the annual meeting of World Economic Forum (WEF), told AP on Wednesday.

WEF 2016 meeting kicked off today in Davos and will run until January 23. Various issues, including refugee crisis, decline in oil prices, terrorism and climate change will be discussed during this year’s forum.

"It shows that the United States has an addiction which has been very difficult for it to overcome," Zarif added, specifying, "Its addiction to pressure, addiction to coercion, addiction to sanctions."

Zarif spoke in a hotel room at the glamorous Intercontinental hotel, where US Vice President Joe Biden was also holding meetings. The minister said they had no plans to meet.

On Sunday, Washington imposed sanctions on 11 companies and individuals for supplying Iran's ballistic missile program.

The move by the White House came hours after termination of anti-Tehran sanctions following confirmations from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Tehran had made good on its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement finalized by Iran and six world powers in July 2015.

Shortly after the IAEA announcement, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini announced in a joint statement that the implementation of the nuclear deal has officially been started.

Earlier in January, the White House postponed the sanctions planned by the Treasury Department against individuals in Iran, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates following Iran’s missile testing in October and November.

Iran has repeatedly announced that test of missiles is an issue relating to defense of its territorial integrity and has nothing to do with the JCPOA.

Iran has also underscored frequently that its military might poses no threat to other countries and that the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.