Nuclear deal proved US untrustworthy: Iranian cleric

Tehran’s interim Friday prayer leader says the US bans imposed against Iran following the conclusion of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and the world powers prove Washington is not trustworthy.

“This experience is enough and let’s not repeat the same experience, because the US proved that it is our enemy and our diplomats say America does not fulfill its obligations,” Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Movahhedi-Kermani said.

“The sanctions were supposed to be lifted in six months. Not only have they not been removed, other sanctions were also added under the pretext of security [issues],” he said.

Movahedi-Kermani added, “Washington says let us hold talks on the regional issues. It is strange! How can one hold dialogue with a party that does not hold on to its promises?”

Iran and the P5+1 signed the landmark JCPOA on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

Under the nuclear agreement, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against the country.

However, the US has issued new unilateral sanctions against Iran over the country’s defensive missile program and allegations of Tehran’s involvement in acts of terror.

On February 3, Washington imposed sanctions on 13 individuals and 12 entities as part of bids to ratchet up pressure on Iran, claiming that a recent missile test by Iran violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the 2015 nuclear agreement, known as the JCPOA.

Iran slammed the new US sanctions as illegal and pledged to deliver a “proportionate and reciprocal” response to the move.

The Islamic Republic, along with five other Muslim-majority nations, has recently become the target of a travel ban by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

The Muslim ban, which was blocked by a federal court on Wednesday, would have a particularly tough impact on the one million Iranians living and studying in the US as well as their families, if it takes effect.

Saudi Arabia allegations

Elsewhere in his remarks, Movahedi-Kermani denounced the recent anti-Iran allegations by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister on Sunday rejected Iranian calls for dialogue saying Tehran was the main sponsor of terrorism in the world, a destabilizing force in the Middle East and wanted to “destroy us.”

Speaking at the 53rd Munich Security Conference, Jubeir rejected Iranian calls for dialogue, descring the Islamic Republic as “the single main sponsor of terrorism in the world,” and a destabilizing force in the Middle East that wanted to “destroy us.”

Speaking at the 53rd Munich Security Conference on February 19, Jubeir rejected Iranian calls for dialogue, describing the Islamic Republic as “the single main sponsor of terrorism in the world,” and a destabilizing force in the Middle East that wanted to “destroy us.”

The Iranian cleric further said, “This person calls Iran the main sponsor of terrorism while his country has caused bloodbath in Yemen and is killing children on a daily basis.”

The cleric slammed Jubeir’s allegation that Iran seeks to destroy Saudi Arabia and said, “You are the one who is destroying your country through oppression.”

Saudi Arabia has been leading a deadly military campaign against Yemen since March 2015. Latest tallies say some 12,000 civilians have been killed by the campaign.

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