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Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. in a meeting with Members of Parliament (MPs) in Tehran. said that Washington’s sanctions against him proved that the US is foreseeing its defeat against the diplomatic efforts of the Islamic Republic.
“The US is worried about its defeat in the field of diplomacy.“ said Zarif on Saturday while meeting a group of Iranian parliamentarians in Tehran.
He discussed Washington’s decision to impose rounds of economic sanctions on Tehran and senior Iranian officials. including himself. since Trump withdrew from a deal on the country’s nuclear program last year.
The Iranian top diplomat further said that the United States’ diplomatic status in the world is on the decline. adding. however. that Iran has successfully implemented its regional and international plans over the past years.
Members of the Iranian Parliament’s Diplomacy Fraction met Zarif on Saturday to hail his role in clarifying Iran’s position on the global stage which caused Washington to impose sanctions on the Iranian diplomat last week.
The bans on Zarif came after he visited the US last month to attend a United Nations meeting where he pointedly criticized the US for adopting a politicized approach to deal with Iran’s nuclear case.
Zarif said in several interviews to major international media outlets during the trip that Washington was trying to use Iran’s case to advance its unilateralist agenda.
Iranian authorities have condemned the sanctions on Iran’s top negotiator. saying they are a clear sign that Washington is not interested in holding talks with Iran.
US sanctions on Iran began in November months after US President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 international deal on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Elsewhere in the meeting. the diplomatic chief said the United States’ policy of piling incessant pressure on Iran is mainly due to the fact that Tehran has grown more powerful over the past years.
“American pressure on Iran is due to Iran’s power and might and not weakness.“
In separate statements on July 31. the US departments of State and Treasury announced the imposition of sanctions against Zarif. saying he “acted or purported to act for or on behalf of. directly or indirectly. the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran“.
Back on June 24. US President Donald Trump 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).
The European Union has regretted the US decision. stating that it intends to keep working with the Iranian foreign minister.
“We regret this decision. and 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`. Carlos Martin Ruiz de Gordejuela. the Spokesman of the European Commission for the international cooperation and development. said.
Moreover. Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations. Dmitry Polyanskiy. slammed the US move to impose sanctions on Zarif. arguing that the measure will block the way for any dialogue.
Polyanskiy described sanctions as against diplomacy. stressing that Moscow is against any type of bans. as they do not help find a solution.
