As Relations Worsen, Iran Says U.S. Sanctions May Violate Nuclear Deal
"Why would he do something" like the chemical weapons attack, Mr. Zarif asked about Mr. Assad, "the day after the president indicates removing Assad is not an American priority?" Similarly, Mr. Zarif was defensive about Iran’s continued missile testing, saying it needed accurate missiles as a deterrent against the Sunni Arab states
that the United States arms with its "beautiful American military equipment" sold to the region.
Mr. Zarif said Iran would "reciprocate," but made the promise in a weary way, saying
that Iran’s sanctions on Americans would be no more effective than American efforts to block travel or financial transactions with 18 Iranian individuals and entities.
So now they are trying to make it impossible for Iran to benefit." Mr. Zarif spoke in the residence of the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations just hours after the Treasury, State
and Justice Departments announced new sanctions on Iran, many aimed at the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Mohammad Javad Zarif, the foreign minister of Iran, charged on Tuesday
that the Trump administration’s attempt to reimpose sanctions on his country was a violation of the accord signed two years ago that sharply limited Iran’s ability to produce nuclear material in return for its reintegration into the world economy.
Two years ago there was talk of whether, with the nuclear dispute behind them, the United States
and Iran might cooperate against the Islamic State and strike a deal over Syria.
Mr. Zarif said that if conversations do begin anew with the United States, they will be limited to the nuclear deal — and American compliance.