Iranian Ambassador to France Bahram Qassemi categorically condemned Washington’s sanctions against Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and said the US does not deserve to be home to the United Nations (UN). RNA - Sanctions against Zarif are the direct results of the bullying policies undertaken by the rulers of a country which falsely self-proclaims itself as the cradle of freedom and democracy, Qassemi said on Thursday.
He added that the move undermined the legitimacy of the US as the host country for the headquarters of the UN.
The story is “more catastrophic and more serious” than just a simple move as it is not just about unjust and illegitimate economic, medical and medicinal sanctions but also about levying sanctions against a discourse and against free expression and diplomatic articulations by a renowned diplomat like Dr. Zarif on the global arena, Qassemi said.
“This move is the outcome of the bullying, unilateral and tyrannical policies of a country which, to bad fortune of the nations of the world, is falsely self-proclaiming itself as the cradle of freedom and democracy, and more bitterly hosts the UN HQ,” the Iranian diplomat stressed.
“Efforts by the rulers of an undemocratic, stubborn, pro-tyrannical country which is violating the rights of all nations and imposing its extraterritorial regulations on even its own allied nations and states, to promote and spread the epidemic of turning deaf ear to the stances and words of the big, history-making and culture-fostering nation of Iran will gradually expose the hypocrisy and grudge of the US,” he added.
“Pro-freedom people and independent nations in all over this integrated world will not put up with such childish, demanding and biased behaviors and the new US is no longer fit to host the UN,” reiterated the Iranian envoy to Paris.
The US Department of Treasury on Wednesday imposed sanctions against Zarif.
Zarif, who has been Iran’s foreign minister since 2013, was the chief negotiator in the multinational nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
According to Fars News Agancy, the Trump administration said last month it was planning to impose sanctions against Iranian top diplomat.
In reaction to the decision, Zarif played down the US sanctions against him, expressing pleasure that he is considered as a "huge threat" to Washington's plots.
"The US' reason for designating me is that I am Iran's primary spokesperson around the world," Zarif wrote on his Twitter account early Thursday.
"It has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interests outside of Iran," he added, asking the US whether the truth is really painful.
"Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda," Zarif reiterated.
"We know that calling for dialog and peace is an existential threat to B-Team. And since reason for designating me is my words, would US persons need OFAC license to engage with me by reading my writings or listening to interviews?" he wrote two hours later.
Zarif had earlier told the New York Times that "everyone who knows me knows that I, or my family, do not own any property outside Iran. I personally do not even have a bank account outside Iran. Iran is my entire life and my sole commitment. So I have no personal problem with possible sanctions".
"The only impact--and possibly the sole objective--of a possible designation would be to limit my ability to communicate. And I doubt that would serve anyone. Certainly, it would limit the possibility of informed decision making in Washington," he added.
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