Sanctions against Zarif Exposes Falsity of US Calls for Talks

Kharrazi described the US call for negotiation with Iran as a “hoax” and a trick, adding that sanctioning Zarif showed the White House’s desperation against Iran’s rightful language of diplomacy.

“The US president and secretary of state have constantly called for negotiation with Iran while they have imposed sanction on the head of the country’s diplomacy, Kharrazi said, adding that “this reveals that the US call for negotiation is a ‘hoax’” which is aimed at getting Iran to give in to their bullying approach.

Kharrazi said that the US president Donald Trump applies a unilateralist approach even against the US allies, adding the Europeans have not made a shred of achievement in their talks with the US.

The former Iranian top diplomat added that sanctioning Zarif showed White House’s desperation against Iran’s rightful language of diplomacy, calling for launching a campaign on social networking websites and global media against the US illegal action.

He further noted that US sanction on Zarif will not yield any results for the US statesmen and it will on the contrary bring about more awareness and unity among the Iranian nation.

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).

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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