Iran on US histrionics: Sanctions are not back except in Pompeo’s imaginary world

The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the international community will not buy into Washington’s frenetic attempt to reinstate all United Nations sanctions against the Islamic Republic, adding that US officials live in “an imaginary world.”

“Nothing has happened, except in [US Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo’s imaginary world. No one buys into this,” Ministry Spokesman Saeid Khatibzadeh said at a press conference on Sunday.

Pompeo said Saturday that all UN sanctions against Iran were "back in effect" under a “snapback” mechanism inside a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Thirteen of the UN Security Council’s 15-strong members have already refused to commit to the American procedure, reminding Washington that it forfeited all legal authority to trigger the snapback when it left the deal in 2018.

Also on Saturday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said “uncertainty” prevented him from taking any action on the US declaration.

UN chief says will take no action on US 'snapback' push against Iran

The UN chief says “uncertainty” prevents him from considering Washington

Slapped in the face with the failure, Pompeo threatened any country that would defy the sanctions with “consequences.”

Khatibzadeh chided Washington’s stubborn attitude, saying “Pompeo and a few others are this TV show’s only presenter, audience, and applauder.”

He also warned against attempts by any third party to act against the international consensus about Iran’s continued sanctions relief. “We would respond to any vassal state that would buy into this [the US’s claims] and overstep the boundaries.”

“Pompeo’s imaginary world would not be any more secure,” Khatibzadeh said. “As a result of US actions, the world has seen nothing but insecurity, war and instability.”

As a case in point, the spokesman cited Washington’s military intervention throughout the world, especially in the West Asia region, and the deadly and destructive heritage it has left behind. “What the US wants is another act of hostility,” Khatibzadeh noted.

The official noted that Washington had returned to its “politics of bullying” after suffering defeat across political and legal arenas against the Islamic Republic.

US snapback mechanism against Iran, Trump’s propaganda stunt: Leader’s aide

A senior Iranian official says the US push to trigger the snapback mechanism is a propaganda stunt by Trump ahead of the November election.

The International Court of Justice, has ordered the US to suspend its sanctions on Iran-bound foodstuffs and medicines as well as many other commodities in an ongoing legal case that the Islamic Republic has brought before the UN’s top court.

“They (the Americans) must have gotten the world’s message and seen that the world is changing. The US, itself, is the first victim of this change thanks to the myopic policies of [President Donald] Trump and his partners,” Khatibzadeh said.

He also addressed the prospect of inspection of Iranian ships and planes under the US-promoted excuse of their potentially carrying alleged prohibited cargo. “In line with the UN Charter, we will definitely respond to any violation of Iran’s sovereignty,” he said.

At various junctures, Iran has met aggressive measures by the US against its interests with “necessary messages,” he said, adding, “The era of banditry is over.”

The official predicted that the US would be going through its “darkest hours” if it kept on this current course. “Washington is on the wrong side of history and has forgotten its responsibilities,” he said.

Khatibzadeh, however, advised that Washington abandon its “wayward ways” and realign itself with the international community.

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