Rouhani: U.S. Will Be Defeated With Iran Sanctions
TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- The United States has chosen the wrong path in reimposing sanctions on Iran and will be defeated, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday.
Washington reinstated sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry on Nov. 5 after imposing a first round of embargoes in August.
"The Americans will definitely be defeated in this path. The path they have chosen is wrong and incorrect,” Rouhani said. "If they are being honest and they are looking for regional security, this is not the path. If they are being honest and respect the Iranian people, this is not the path.”
He added, "They have made themselves more infamous in the world and in front of our people. It’s clear for everyone that the incorrect and cruel sanctions of America will harm the dear and honorable people of our country.”
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said Tuesday that Washington intends to step up enforcement of sanctions on Iran and "squeeze them very hard.”
President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions after withdrew the United States from world powers’ 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, reached before he took office. The other signatories - Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China remain committed to the deal. Iran has said it will stay in it only if the other powers preserve its economic benefits against U.S. pressure.
The main U.S. objective through imposing sanctions is to damage Iran’s independence, Rouhani said, adding that the only way to counter them is to rely on domestic capacities.
Trump’s measures taken on Nov. 5 target 700 individuals, banks, aircraft, ships and companies tied to Iran’s energy and financial industries.
Rouhani said the sanctions will fail to affect Iran’s oil sales. "We have so many ways of selling oil, and that will render their sanctions ineffective.”
The Iranians, the president said, have sent the U.S. "this very clear and decisive message that we will sell our oil and will preserve our financial relations with the world.”
Washington reinstated sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry on Nov. 5 after imposing a first round of embargoes in August.
"The Americans will definitely be defeated in this path. The path they have chosen is wrong and incorrect,” Rouhani said. "If they are being honest and they are looking for regional security, this is not the path. If they are being honest and respect the Iranian people, this is not the path.”
He added, "They have made themselves more infamous in the world and in front of our people. It’s clear for everyone that the incorrect and cruel sanctions of America will harm the dear and honorable people of our country.”
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said Tuesday that Washington intends to step up enforcement of sanctions on Iran and "squeeze them very hard.”
President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions after withdrew the United States from world powers’ 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, reached before he took office. The other signatories - Germany, France, Britain, Russia and China remain committed to the deal. Iran has said it will stay in it only if the other powers preserve its economic benefits against U.S. pressure.
The main U.S. objective through imposing sanctions is to damage Iran’s independence, Rouhani said, adding that the only way to counter them is to rely on domestic capacities.
Trump’s measures taken on Nov. 5 target 700 individuals, banks, aircraft, ships and companies tied to Iran’s energy and financial industries.
Rouhani said the sanctions will fail to affect Iran’s oil sales. "We have so many ways of selling oil, and that will render their sanctions ineffective.”
The Iranians, the president said, have sent the U.S. "this very clear and decisive message that we will sell our oil and will preserve our financial relations with the world.”