Iran Affirms To Protect National Interests From US Sanctions

Illustration of Iran's nuclear facilities. (ANTARA/Anadolu)

JAKARTA - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei stressed that Tehran will protect its national interests from possible US sanctions related to its cooperation with Russia because Washington's restriction measures still have a negative impact.

"Regarding the threat that the US will again impose sanctions on Iran, we face sanctions packages from the US almost every day," Baghaei said at a briefing, Sunday (23/11).

"This is a long story. Of course sanctions are detrimental to us, but will never weaken our determination to defend our rights and interests," he added.

Baghaei explained that Iran continues to cooperate with Russia in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. He added that the two countries are also discussing steps to strengthen collaboration in the nuclear sector.

On November 17, US President Donald Trump stated that a bill aimed at tightening sanctions against Russia would impose severe sanctions on any country in collaboration with Moscow, and Iran could potentially be on the list.

Baghaei emphasized that Iran will continue to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in accordance with the obligations of the nuclear weapons non-proliferation agreement and national regulations.

According to him, the decision related to cooperation with the IAEA was determined by Iran's Supreme National Security Council. He also responded to the IAEA resolution asking Iran to report uranium reserves status to the agency.

Baghaei said the policy would complicate the situation, but stressed there was no deadlock in the dialogue between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog.

In August, E3 countries, namely Britain, France, and Germany, notified the UN Security Council of the start of the mechanism for restoring international sanctions against Iran, which was previously lifted in the 2015 nuclear agreement.

In September, the Security Council imposed the sanctions again, including bans on the delivery of nuclear-related materials and technologies, banning the sale of heavy conventional weapons and ballistic missile production technology, as well as freezing Iran's foreign assets.