Iran Condemns US for Imposing ‘Unjust’ Sanctions During Critical Nuclear Negotiations

On Monday, the U.S. Department of State announced the designation of three Iranian individuals and the company Fuya Pars Prospective Technologists. The department accused them of engaging in research and development efforts with dual-use applications pertinent to nuclear weapons.

American officials have announced that the sanctions will effectively freeze any assets held by the specified individuals and entities within the United States, and prohibit engaging in business transactions with them.

The latest round of sanctions was imposed just a day following the conclusion of the fourth round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States. These discussions are centered on finalizing a new agreement concerning Iran’s nuclear program and lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Tehran.

Both parties have reached a tentative agreement to persist with the negotiations facilitated by Oman.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, announced that the schedule for the upcoming round of negotiations is still under discussion and remains to be finalized.

Takht-Ravanchi, a member of Iran’s technical team in the negotiations, expressed criticism regarding the contradictory behavior exhibited by the US government.

He stated that the mix of aggressive and conciliatory statements from American officials fails to inspire trust, instead fostering uncertainty and suspicion regarding Washington’s stance.

During discussions, there was a keen interest in advancing the project, which resulted in four rounds of negotiations. Although the date for the next meeting is yet to be determined, an agreement in principle has been reached, he stated.

He further stated that the Iranian population is subject to “deeply unjust” sanctions, and emphasized that the nation’s diplomatic efforts are focused on leveraging their expertise to lift these restrictions.

Sanctions are exerting pressure on various segments of the population, according to Takht-Ravanchi. He emphasized that their diplomatic efforts are focused on working within the country’s policy framework to alleviate and potentially eliminate these sanctions.

He remarked that he refrains from suggesting that lifting sanctions is the economic solution for the country.

The primary focus remains on stabilizing the domestic economic landscape and instituting a structured economic order. Following this, attention will shift to international matters, aiming to alleviate sanctions to address ongoing issues.

Takht-Ravanchi stated that although Iran is “progressing on the path” of indirect negotiations with the United States, “forecasting the future remains challenging.”

“We are unable to provide a specific timeline for resolving these issues or predict the final outcome. Our efforts are ongoing,” he stated.

Officials have expressed confidence in their current trajectory, acknowledging, however, that they face numerous challenges ahead. They emphasize the difficulty of the undertaking, reaffirming their commitment to putting forth their best efforts.

Takht-Ravanchi has indicated that Iran is open to considering temporary restrictions on its uranium enrichment program. However, he noted that discussions with the United States have not yet broached these specific details.

He stated that they are willing to accept a series of restrictions on the level and volume of enrichment for a limited period, though specifics regarding these limits have yet to be discussed.