Zarif: Sanction on Iran Central Bank Signifies US Frustration
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed the US move to once again impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran as a sign of Washington’s frustration and the looming end of its policy of “maximum pressure” against Tehran.
In an interview with IRNA on Friday, Zarif described the US administration’s decision to impose new sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and the National Development Fund as a testimony to its “frustration”.
“The Americans have imposed whatever type of sanctions on Iran they could. What they are doing now is imposing a sanction on the central bank, which has been already sanctioned, under a new name,” he deplored.
“It also reveals that the (US) policy of maximum pressure is nearing its end,” Zarif said, adding that imposition of several sanctions on a single institute proves the failure of the US policy that was supposed to bring Iran to its knees in a few months.
The top diplomat noted that the US’ “unacceptable” move also reveals its attempt to hinder the delivery of foodstuff and medicine to people of Iran.
“This (US) measure violates all international commitments, not only the JCPOA, but also the recognized international principles of immunity of the central banks,” Zarif said.
He advised the US to concede the defeat of its policy of maximum pressure on Iran and look for a way to end it in a dignified manner.
Zarif also echoed the recent comments by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, saying the Americans had better “repent of” their mistakes and return to the JCPOA instead of slapping sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran several times.
In remarks on Tuesday, Ayatollah Khamenei slammed the US’ bid for talks with Iran as a trick, stressing that Iranian and US officials will not hold negotiations whatsoever, either in New York or anywhere else.
“If the US backs off from its call, repents, and returns to the nuclear treaty it has breached, then it will be able to join the gathering of the parties to the deal (JCPOA) who hold meetings and talk with Iran, otherwise no negotiations will take place between the officials of the Islamic Republic and the Americans at any level, not in New York and not anywhere else,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The US Department of the Treasury on Friday slapped sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and the country’s sovereign wealth fund, a move US President Donald Trump described as the "highest level of sanctions".
The successive sanctions on Iran heightened after the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018.