FM: Extension of Iran Sanctions Proves Lack of US Credibility
NEW DELHI (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed US plans to extend sanctions against Iran for ten more years, stressing that it will testify to lack of US credibility in the international community.
According to Tasnim dispatches, speaking to reporters upon his arrival in New Delhi at the start of an Asian tour on Saturday, Zarif said extension of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), which was passed by the Senate on Thursday, will not have “executive effects” even if Barack Obama signs it.
However, he stressed, such an anti-Iran move will signify the lack of US credibility in the eyes of the international community, because Washington is breaching its commitments.
His comments came after the US Senate voted 99-0 to extend the ISA for another decade. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives nearly unanimously in November, and congressional aides said they expected Obama would sign it.
Iran maintains that the measure will be a clear violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear agreement between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Elsewhere in his remarks in New Delhi, Foreign Minister Zarif gave an assurance that the anti-Iran act is not going to affect entrepreneurs in India, China and Japan –his three destinations in the tour- willing to make investment in Iran.
Heading a mainly trade delegation, the Iranian minister has travelled to India for the 6th Heart of Asia ministerial conference, slated for December 3-4 in Amritsar, Punjab state, and for talks with Indian officials on bilateral, regional and international issues.
He will later visit China and Japan.
