Iran has mocked the Trump administrationâs recent move to put Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on its sanctions list, saying the designation is because the US is frightened of Zarifâs negotiation skills.
The US Treasury Department on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Zarif, arguing that he is âIranâs primary spokesperson around the world.â
In a tweet, Zarif mocked the reason for his designation, and said, âThe USâ reason for designating me is that I am Iranâs âprimary spokesperson around the worldâ. Is the truth really that painful?â
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âIt has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interests outside of Iran. Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda,â he added.
âSince reason for designating me is my words, would âUS personsâ need OFAC license to âengageâ with me by reading my writings or listening to interviews?â he said in another tweet.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi also reacted to the sanctions against Zarif, and said, âThe Americans have a strong fear of the logic of Dr. Zarif and his negotiating skills.â
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âThe peak of stupidity and inconsistency of Americaâs leaders is at a point where they donât recognize Dr. Zarif as being influential in Iranâs policy but with the ultimate ignorance they sanction him!â Mousavi wrote.
He made the remarks in reaction to contradictory comments by a US official who had said, âThe Trump administration is not closing the door to potential nuclear talks with Iran by sanctioning Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who it does not consider a significant decision maker.â
