Russia condemns US for unilateral sanctions against Iran

Russia has condemned America’s “unilateral sanctions” against Iran as illegal. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov insisted on the existing agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme to remain as it is.

“Our approach to unilateral sanctions is universal. We consider such practices illegal, contrary to international law and the basic principles of interstate communication,” Ryabkov told reporters when asked to comment on sanctions imposed on the IRGC yesterday.

US President Donald Trump refused to re-certify the nuclear deal signed by six nations known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) last month. Trump accused the Islamic Republic of violating the spirit of the agreement, however he decided against contesting the accusations against Iran at the international level.

Commenting on Trump’s decertification of the deal, Ryabkov warned Washington against consequences of trying to unilaterally nullify the international agreement.

Read: Iran says new US sanctions violate nuclear deal, vows ‘proportional reaction’

“The situation is aggravating, because the mood in the US Congress is very, very anti-Iranian,” he said.

“But ultimately, the responsibility for the hypothetical collapse of the JCPOA will be entirely on the American side,’” the Russian deputy foreign minister warned.

“They heard all the assessments from Russia, Iran, European colleagues, China. And they should understand that the consequences of reckless steps in this sphere will be extremely difficult,” Ryabkov told journalists.