Iran warns of ‘strong reaction’ if US renews sanctions bill
Tehran nuclear chief joins president and others in urging Obama to veto measure that would extend penalties for 10 years
VIENNA — A senior Iranian official warned the US of a “firm and strong reaction” if it persists in actions he says are endangering a nuclear deal aimed at curbing programs Tehran could use to make atomic arms.
Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi’s comments Monday alluded to a bill before US President Barack Obama that would extend US sanctions by 10 years. The bill was submitted to Obama after the US Senate voted to extend it last week.
The deal, signed in July 2015, lifted international sanctions in exchange for limitations on the Iranian nuclear program. But US sanctions remain and will expire on December 31 if Obama doesn’t sign the extension into law.
Speaking at a nuclear security conference, Salehi urged Washington on Monday to desist from “irrational and provocative” moves.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani also demanded that US President Barack Obama not sign the extension of US sanctions on Sunday, saying the bill is a violation of a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
Speaking in an open session of Iran’s parliament Sunday, Rouhani said Obama is “obliged” to let the sanctions expire.
Rouhani promised a “prompt response” from Iran if the US sanctions are extended.
“We are committed to an acceptable implementation of the deal but in response to non-commitment, violation or hesitation in its implementation, we will act promptly,” he said.
Also on Sunday, Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani called on lawmakers to adopt reciprocal measures in response to the sanctions, Iran’s state-run IRNA news website reported.
The comments came two days after Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the extension of sanctions against Iran and said the act is a clear violation of the landmark nuclear deal reached between Iran and the world powers last year.
“The US president has agreed within the framework of the nuclear deal that he would use his authority to prevent the legislation and enforcement of any measures in violation of the deal, such as the recent act by the Congress,” said Bahram Ghasemi, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman.
Earlier in November, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, warned that, “Definitely, the Islamic Republic of Iran will react” if the US sanctions were renewed.
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to tear up the Iranian nuclear deal once in office, calling the agreement under which it was implemented — the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — the “worst deal ever negotiated.”