Iran leader vows retaliation for latest U. S. sanctions

Rouhani dismisses Trump administration complaints as political

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vowed Wednesday to retaliate against additional sanctions imposed by the United States, accusing Trump administration officials of "duplicity in their actions."

“Surely, if the Americans seek to apply sanctions against us under whatever title or pretext, the great nation of Iran would aptly respond to them,” Rouhani said.

The Trump administration on Tuesday announced new sanctions targeting 18 people, groups and firms supporting the Iranian military and its ballistic missile program. Iran's missile development is banned by the U. N. but not covered by the nuclear accord struck between Iran and six world powers two years ago.

Earlier this week, the State Department certified to Congress that Iran was technically in compliance with the nuclear deal — officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA) — but was "in default of the spirit" of the accord.

The nuclear accord lifted economic sanctions against Iran in return for the Islamic Republic halting development of nuclear weaponry. The other countries that signed on — Russia, Britain, France, China and Germany — remain committed to the accord. Trump, however, has repeatedly railed against "the very bad deal."

Rouhani dismissed the Trump administration complaints as political.

“We are glad that our partners in the P- five plus one have steadfastly employed perseverance to safeguard the JCPOA," Rouhani said. "As always, Americans resorted to duplicity in their actions."

Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the latest sanctions as a "worthless move" and said it would soon impose "sanctions on a number of American natural and legal persons which have taken measures against the Iran and other Muslim regional nations."

The ministry statement noted U. S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson "once again confirmed Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal in a letter to the U. S. Congress in a move that ran counter to all their previous claims" of Iranian misbehavior.

The statement said the "unilateral and illegal sanctions" were designed to compensate for the Trump administration's failure to persuade its European allies to withdraw from the nuclear deal.

The U. S. will freeze any assets the targets of the latest sanctions have in the U. S. and will prevent U. S. citizens from doing business with those targets.

"The United States will continue to aggressively counter Iran’s malign activities in the region," the State Department said. "While the review is ongoing, the United States will also continue to expect strict Iranian adherence to Iran’s nuclear commitments."

“Surely, if the Americans seek to apply sanctions against us under whatever title or pretext, the great nation of Iran would aptly respond to them,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

PRESIDENTIAL OFFICIAL WEBSITE HANDOUT, EPA A handout photo made available by the presidential official website shows Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaking during the cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday.