New sanctions incompatible with U.S. claim to support talks: Iran

TEHRAN,Dec.8(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Tuesday that the imposition of new sanctions by the Unites States on Iran runs counter to its claim to support the process of talks. The U.S. Senate resoundingly approved on November 30 expanded sanctions on global trade with Iran’s energy and shipping sectors, its latest effort to ratchet up economic pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program, Reuters reported. The new package, which keeps in place exemptions for countries that have made significant cuts to their purchases of Iranian crude oil, would be the third round of sanctions in a year if passed into law. Mehmanparast said, “The recent measure by the U.S. Senate to approve sanctions against our country is not compatible with the affectation and claims of the country’s government to support the process of talks and diplomacy.” He also said the fact that the Obama administration has announced its opposition to the new round of sanctions against Iran by Senate reveals disagreements between centers of power in the Unites States. He added that the adoption of the laws concerning other countries by U.S. legislators undermines the fundamental principles of international law, including the principle of sovereign equality of states.