EU will Work with Iran`s FM Despite US Sanctions

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The European Union announced on Thursday it regrets the US decision to impose sanctions against Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and vowed to continue working with him.

“We regret this decision.“ Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela. Spokesman for EU Diplomatic Chief Federica Mogherini said.

“From our side. we will continue to work with Mr Zarif as Iran’s most senior diplomat and in view of the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels.“ Martin added.

In separate statements on Wednesday. the US departments of State and Treasury announced the imposition of sanctions against the outspoken diplomat because he “acted or purported to act for or on behalf of. directly or indirectly. the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran“.

In reaction to the move. the Iranian foreign minister. the architect of a 2015 multilateral nuclear deal. reiterated that the move by the US administration “has no effect“ on him or his family. as they “have no property or interests outside of Iran“.

“Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda.“ Zarif stated.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani blasted the US sanctions against Zarif as a move out of Washington`s desperation and indicative of ineffectiveness of its pressures on Tehran.

`Americans are resorting to childish behavior… Maybe there`s no better way to describe (the sanctions) but childish. They have been claiming every day that they want to talk. with no preconditions …and then they sanction the foreign minister. This means that they have lost the power of rational thought.` President Rouhani stated.

Since withdrawing unilaterally from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal last year. Washington has steadily reapplied biting economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic. targeting the country’s energy. shipping. banking. and military sectors. The United States has also sanctioned top Iranian officials.

Back in late June. the US president announced new sanctions against Iran targeting Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and top commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).