US' new sanctions blatant insult to int'l mechanisms: Iran

Tehran, Oct 17, IRNA – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman described the US' new sanctions list as part of psychological war against the Iranian people, and said it is blatant insult against legal and international mechanisms. The US' measure is the result of its hostility, Bahram Qasemi said in reaction to the US Treasury Department's new sanction list against Iranian companies. Unlike its hypocritical allegations in supporting Iranian people, the US government is trying to create obstacles on taking advantage of foreign economic relations with international community and threaten their interests in contrast with international and human rights regulations. Referring to the interim order issued by International Court of Justice (ICJ) to prevent the US from taking any measure intensifying dispute, Qasemi said the US approach and its lack of commitment to international regulations and mechanisms not only threatens Iranians' interests but stability and security in the world. This is while, Iran together with the international community, are trying with goodwill to pave the way for Iran to achieve its interests after the US illegal withdrawal from Iran deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on Tuesday inclusion of several other Iranian institutes in the list of sanctions. In a statement, OFAC listed the sanctioned entities as Baseej Cooperative Foundation, banks of Mehr Eqtesad, Mellat, Sina and Parsian. Meanwhile, companies of Negin Sahel Royal, Sarmayegozari Tadbirgaran Atiyeh, Mehr Eqtesad Financial Group, Technotar Engineering and Taktar Investment were also sanctioned over alleged links to Mehr Eqtesad Investment Company. Companies of Iran Tractor Manufacturing, Isfahan Foulad Mobarakeh, Andisheh-Mehvaran Investment, Bahman Automaking Group, Kalsimin, Holding of Developing Iran Zink Mines, Qeshm Zinc Melting and Reduction Complex, Asidsazan-e Zanjan, Parsian Catalyst Chemical and Bandar Abbas Zinc Production are among the other institutes targeted by the US sanctions. This is not the first time the US is imposing unilateral sanctions on Iran, as the analysts consider it in the wake of anti-Iran plans defeat over the past year, which has led to Washington’s global isolation. Currently, the EU is mulling direct banking cooperation with Iran which will ensure continued banking and trade activities between them.