US ‘trying to put pressure’ on Iran

CAUTION: RUSSIA WARNS WASHINGTON NOT TO INTERFERE

Moscow

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said yesterday that Washington is “looking for reasons” to pressure Iran on its nuclear programme.

Ryabkov was responding to US Vice-President Mike Pence who this week said Washington will “not remain silent on Iran” and called for a replacement to the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.

“If (the US) is looking for reasons to increase pressure on Iran that have nothing to do with the (nuclear) deal – and that’s how it looks like from what we see – then this is an unworthy method that should not be used by a great power,” Ryabkov said.

The 2015 Iran deal gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. “We see no reason whatsoever to change the Iran deal,” he added.

Earlier this week Ryabkov warned Washington against interfering in Iran’s “internal affairs” after US President Donald Trump pledged to help Iranians “take back” their government following protests this week.

He tried to ramp up pressure on what he called a “brutal and corrupt regime” in Iran.

Much of Trump’s response has focused on playing up perceived errors in foreign policy by the Obama administration, including the 2015 Iran deal.

On Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on five Iranian companies it alleges are working on part of the Islamic republic’s illegal ballistic missile programme.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin linked the measure to recent anti-government protests, arguing that Iran ought to spend more on public welfare than on banned weapons. –