Iran uses all legitimate means to defend citizens: Foreign Ministry spokesman

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says the Islamic Republic will resort to any legal and legitimate means to defend the “fundamental” rights of its citizens in line with the norms of international law.

Abbas Moussavi made the remarks on Sunday when asked by reporters about the reaction of the US administration to recent sanctions imposed by Iran on the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and its CEO Mark Dubowitz for their role in promoting “economic war and terrorism against the Iranian people.”

The sanctions were announced on Saturday in a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, which said the bans could be followed by taking judiciary action against those targeted based on a law passed in 2017.

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Iran adds the US Foundation for Defense of Democracies and its chief executive to its list of sanctions.

Reacting to Iran’s move, Washington said it was taking Iran’s “threats seriously,” with US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus saying in a tweet, “We intend to hold Iran responsible for directly or indirectly compromising the safety of any American.”

The Iranian spokesperson further said, “Propaganda spread by the US Department of State and Dubowitz’s foundation is nothing new. They are experts in spreading lies and misleading.”

He added that the text of the “Law on Countering the Violation of Human Rights and Adventurous and Terrorist Activities of the United States in the Region” passed on August 13, 2017, has clearly and precisely mentioned the legal consequences of adding the names of natural and legal persons to Iran’s sanctions list.

Moussavi emphasized that the US administration and “those who are paid by the B-team, including the FDD,” are expected to do nothing but raise a hue and cry and attempt to portray themselves as victims.

In harmony with the aforementioned law, he added, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is duty-bound to carry out certain duties, while other executive and judicial bodies have fulfilled and will implement their own legal duties.

The “B-team” is a term thrown into popular usage by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. It refers to a group of politicians who share an inclination toward potential war with Iran, and the letter “b” in their names. They include US National Security Adviser John Bolton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Moussavi said in addition to fulfilling its legal obligation, the Iranian government’s move conveys this message to the world that it is determined to protect its citizens against enemies of the country.

Those hostile to Iran and their collaborators should know that their enmity towards the Iranian people will not be forgotten and without cost, he warned.

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