FM: Iran Not after Economic Ties with US

“We were not after having economic relations with the US, while we don’t face any restrictions for healthy economic ties with the US either, but the Americans have some problems in receiving congressional approval,” Zarif said on Tuesday in New York where he is participating in the United Nations Sustainable Development conference.

He referred to the goals pursued by Iran through signing the nuclear agreement with the world powers, and said, “The nuclear deal was not aimed at changing those (congress) approvals but it sought to prevent the US from interfering in Iran’s relations with other countries.”

In relevant remarks on Monday, Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri urged the United States government to stop putting pressure on global financial institutions that are reviving ties with Iran.

Speaking in a gathering in Kermanshah to discuss the results of the nuclear deal with the world powers, Jahangiri said as always Tehran is committed to the nuclear deal, urging Washington to stop undermining the agreement by hindering Iran’s banking ties with the global financial institutions.

“The deal has enhanced Iran’s relations with the world and encouraged the international community to resume cooperation with Iran in all spheres,” he added.

He further said, “As a result, Iran’s oil and gas exports have already reached 2 million dollars a day and in the meantime, not only Iran’s banking relations with some European and Asian banks have kicked off but also sea and air transports have become facilitated.”

Also on Saturday, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani lashed out at the US for its destructive approach towards implementing the July nuclear agreement, and called on the EU to monitor Washington’s moves.

Speaking at a meeting with European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini in Tehran, Shamkhani said the US is seeking to continue its sanctions policy against Iran and is troubling the implementation of the Vienna nuclear deal, and described Washington’s approach as “undesirable and unconstructive”.

Shamkhani, who is Iran’s top security official and his body has a major say in the nuclear deal, warned that in case the EU fails to adopt effective action to reverse the current trend, the United States’ present course of action will entail negative repercussions for continued cooperation and implementation of reciprocal undertakings under the nuclear agreement.