US Sanctions on Zarif Violation of Int’l Law: Iranian Envoy Tells UN Chief
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi, in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, condemned a recent move by the US to impose sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as a blatant violation of international law.
In the letter to Guterres released on Tuesday, Takht Ravanchi said that according to US officials, the sanctions on Zarif have been imposed because of his role and position as the one who is in charge of the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy.
“This issue (sanctions on Zarif) shows well that the US regime loathes diplomacy, which is one of the greatest achievements (of humanity) to protect peace and security among nations,” he added.
“This illegal restriction” is part of the US policy of economic terrorism against the Iranian people and pressures on their representatives, the diplomat noted.
“The US move is not only a serious violation of the fundamental principles of international law, but also a threat to multilateralism and a method for those who want to divide nations instead of uniting (them),” the letter read.
On Wednesday, the US Department of State said Washington has designated Zarif for acting on behalf of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei. The US president had issued an executive order on June 24, imposing sanctions on the Leader and his office and authorizing sanctions on others associated with Ayatollah Khamenei.
The senior Iranian diplomat has dismissed the US move, saying that being designated by the US would not affect him since he has ho properties outside Iran.
“We know that calling for dialog & peace is an existential threat to B-Team. And since reason for designating me is my words, would ‘US persons’ need OFAC license to ‘engage’ with me by reading my writings or listening to interviews?” Zarif said in a Twitter post.
The remarks come against the backdrop of increased tensions between Iran and the US with Washington imposing new economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
The US has ratcheted up pressure on Iran since last year after withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Since then, the administration of US President Donald Trump has tried to reduce Iran’s oil exports to “zero,” and has sent an aircraft carrier strike group, a bomber squad, an amphibious assault ship, and a Patriot missile battery to the Middle East to try to stack up pressure on Tehran.
Iranian officials, however, have dismissed such moves as psychological warfare, saying the country has its own ways of circumventing the American bans and selling crude oil.
