Iran to US Time writer: sanctions will kill nuclear deal

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif told American magazine Time on Monday that new sanctions would kill the recent Geneva Deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Answering a question about what would happen if the US Congress imposed new sanctions on Iran, even if they did not take effect for six months, Zarif said, “the entire deal would be dead. We do not like to negotiate under duress.”

Zarif continued, “if Congress adopts sanctions, it shows a lack of seriousness and lack of a desire to achieve a resolution on the part of the United States.”

Reports indicate that Democrat senator, Robert Mondier, head of the foreign relations committee, and Republican Mark Kirk are very close to finalising a sanctions bill targeting Iran’s exports, including fuel, reserves of foreign currency and strategic industries.

The White House opposes the bill, which aims to restrict President Barack Obama from easing the sanctions already imposed on Iran. The bill also aims to re-impose the previously lifted sanctions if Iran does not abide by the Geneva Deal.