FM Dismisses US’ Pompeo’s Anti-Iran Claims

FM Dismisses US’ Pompeo’s Anti-Iran Claims

“‘Surrealism’ is now the US’ modus operandi in its foreign affairs,” Zarif wrote on his Twitter page on Sunday.
Zarif’s remarks came after Pompeo accused Tehran of testing a missile “capable of carrying nuclear warheads” in violation of Security Council Resolution 2231.
“While (the US) itself violates UNSCR 2231…, it now falsely accuses Iran of violating the very same resolution,” the Iranian foreign minister said.
The UNSC Resolution 2231 – which represents a nuclear agreement signed between Iran and other countries, including the US, in 2015 — bans all activity related to “nuclear-capable” weapons. Iran does not engage in any such activity, something that has been verified on many occasions by the UN nuclear watchdog.
Washington itself started breaching the resolution in early May after it left the nuclear agreement. In the following months, it took further steps in breach of the resolution by restoring the sanctions that had been lifted under the agreement, and even threatened the countries potentially ignoring the bans with “secondary sanctions.”
In relevant remarks on Tuesday, Iran’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Eshaq Al-e Habib urged the UN Security Council to condemn the recent anti-Iran threats of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who openly threatened to “starve” Iranian people, describing Pompeo’s rhetoric as “irresponsible” and “provocative”.
“Such remarks are part of the US policies of exerting pressure and issuing real threats in order to wage an economic war against the people of Iran,” reads Eshaq Al-e Habib’s Tuesday letter to the Security Council’s president and the UN secretary general.
Iran’s deputy ambassador to the UN, in his letter, lashed out at US unilateral sanctions against Iran and Pompeo’s remarks as “a collective punishment for a nation” and a “clear violation of the basic principles of international law”.
“Pompeo’s comments are another indication of the US’ bullying policy, which knows no limit and principle,” the letter reads, adding that the US has no hesitation in penalizing other countries when punishing the Iranian nation.It also reiterated the fact that the re-imposition of US sanctions against Iran prevents Iranian people from having access to their basic requirements, including medicine and medical equipment.
“The White House’s measures are a clear instance of crime against humanity,” it says.
“Iran has shown resistance against the US’ bullying behavior and illegal measures within the past 40 years, and will manage to do so against Washington’s recent wrong policies as well,” the letter adds.
The UN and its member states must condemn such bullying remarks by American officials, Iran’s mission to the UN said, urging the international community to stand against such policies, which threaten the foundations of the UN and multilateralism.
It also calls on the world to hold the US accountable for such irresponsible policies and measures, and force it to remain committed to the UN’s principles and objectives.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif replied to Pompeo’s remarks on November 10, ensuring that his country would survive the US sanctions and thrive despite pressures and threats by Washington.
The Iranian diplomatic chief made the remarks in a post on his Twitter page, dismissing his American counterpart’s starvation threat, and stressing that the Islamic Republic will survive and even advance despite Washington’s sanctions
The top diplomat described Pompeo’s open threat to starve the Iranian nation as “a crime against humanity” and “a desperate attempt to impose US whims on Iran”.
“Like his predecessors, he’ll also learn that—in spite of US efforts—Iran will not just survive but advance w/out sacrificing its sovereignty,” Zarif said.