Iran press/ Middle east: “As a matter of principle we are against sanctions in the region. Blockade and sanctions destroy societies and do not weaken regimes,” he said at a news conference.
“We consider sanctions on Iran a strategic mistake and incorrect. We will not interact with them or support them ,” Haider al-Abadi added.
On Monday night, the first wave of US sanctions targeting Iran's acquisition of dollar bank notes, trade in gold and other metals, transactions related to the Iranian rial, and purchases of commercial passenger aircraft entered into force.
After president Rouhani's interview, live, on Iranian television on Monday night Aug 6,2018 ,US President Donald Trump tweeted on Tuesday and described the newly imposed sanctions against Iran as "the most biting,"quoted by Sputnik. He went on to say that in November they would "ratchet up to yet another level."
In the same tweet, the US president added that anyone, who was doing business with Iran, wouldn't be doing it with the US.
Last night in a televised address , Rouhani said there could be no talks as long as Washington was reneging on the deal."
“If you stab someone with a knife and then you say you want talks, then the first thing you have to do is remove the knife,” Rouhani said.
“We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks ... But talks need honesty,” Rouhani said. “Trump’s call for direct talks is only for domestic consumption in America ahead of elections ... and to create chaos in Iran.”
The day before, EU foreign policy Chief Federica Mogherini and foreign ministers from the UK, France, and Germany said in a statement that the European Union's Blocking Statute would enter into force on 7 August to protect EU companies doing legitimate business with Iran.
In May, Trump called the nuclear accord - or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as it is formally known - a "horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made" and withdraw from the deal.
Read More:
Rouhani: "You can't impose sanctions and negotiate at the same time"
Trump's threatening tweets appear right after Rouhani's televised speech
US economic sanctions against Iran back in effect
