A foreign ministry spokesman denounced the American move as “illegitimate” and “propaganda”. That the USA has gone ahead with negotiating peace and the removal of sanctions against Iran despite the opposition of its two biggest Middle Eastern allies speaks hints at the possibility that we may well have entered a new era – of American foreign policy.
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The announcement of the sanctions came a day after several Western powers including the USA lifted sanctions on Iran as part of the nuclear deal signed in July.
Khamenei wrote that Iran “paid a heavy price” the lift of economic sanctions.
From left to right, pastor Saeed Abedini, former U.S. Marine Amir Hekmati, Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and American student Matthew Trevithick are seen in this photo combination.
Khamenei did not name any US political figures, but all of the Republican presidential candidates looking to succeed President Barack Obama when he leaves office a year from now have attacked the Iran nuclear pact, saying it will not keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and poses a security threat to Israel.
Tehran also released five imprisoned Americans while the United States granted clemency to seven Iranians as part of a prisoner swap.
Global Affairs Canada would not respond to the specific concerns raised by Juneau, but did explain that it is still reviewing its sanctions relief on Iran because of concerns over that country’s recent ballistic missile tests.
The accord, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, would provide sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for limits on its controversial nuclear programme.
Mr Rouhani, a moderate whose 2013 election victory helped launch the huge diplomatic effort toward the deal, has promised that the lifting of sanctions will give a major boost to Iran’s economy.
Also Monday, Yukiya Amano, the head of the world’s nuclear watchdog, said Iran has agreed to strengthen its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Three of them have flew to a United States base in Germany.
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According to a statement issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, six Iranian nationals and 11 companies were blacklisted by the U.S. authority for their involvement in the missile program.
