US must swiftly revise sanctions pressure policy against Iran: Russia
Russia has "resolutely" condemned a recent "destructive" move by the United States to impose a new wave of sanctions on Iran, urging Washington to immediately review its policy of sanctions pressure against Tehran.
"We reject any unilateral sanctions bypassing (United Nations Security Council) UNSC decisions, especially when they are applied extra-territorially and concern the interests of third countries, as is the case with US restrictions against Iran," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said in a statement on Saturday.
"If Washington, as it claims, is indeed interested in negotiations with Tehran, the policy of sanctions pressure aimed at diminishing Iran’s economic and defense potential as well as undermining the internal political situation there must be revised immediately," it added.
By using pressure, it will be “impossible to reach concessions” with Iran, it noted.
The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement further said the fresh anti-Iran sanctions were aimed at undermining the consistent efforts taken by parties to the JCPOA to preserve the agreement after the US withdrawal in May.
It expressed "deep disappointment and increasing concern" over US attempts to demolish the international legal instruments of nuclear non-proliferation and arms control and warned of the "deteriorating" security situation in the world.
"The United States has now dealt another powerful blow to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, bringing it closer to collapse while hypocritically talking about the need to strengthen it," the statement read.
It said the JCPOA had proved to be effective and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had regularly confirmed Iran's compliance with its obligations under the nuclear agreement.
"The verification and control measures provided for in the Action Plan are applied in full. This in itself is reliable proof of the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program,” it added.
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