U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on Monday against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures. Sanctions against Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif are expected later this week, Reuters reports.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to rise after Iran took down an American drone in the Persian Gulf last week. After that, President Donald Trump ordered an attack on Iran but canceled it at the last moment saying that around 150 people will die and that is not proportional to an unmanned drone.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi commented on the newest sanctions on Twitter as he said:
“Imposing useless sanctions on Iran’s Supreme Leader and the commander of Iran’s diplomacy is the permanent closure of the path of diplomacy.’’
“Trump’s desperate administration is destroying the established international mechanisms for maintaining world peace and security,’’ added Mousavi.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani addressed the public on television as he said that the sanctions against Iran’s Supreme Leader would have no impact because he has no assets abroad. He used pretty “sharp’’ language calling the actions of the Trump administration “mentally retarded.’’
“The White House actions mean it is mentally retarded. Tehran’s strategic patience does not mean we have fear.’’
U.S. National Security advisor John Bolton visited Israel and said that it is better to hold the talks until Iran is willing to go beyond the Obama-era nuclear deal.
“The President has held the door open to real negotiations to completely and verifiably eliminate Iran’s nuclear weapons program, its pursuit of ballistic missile delivery systems, its support for international terrorism and other malign behavior worldwide. All that Iran needs to do is walk through that open door,’’ said Bolton.
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