Iranian President Hassan Rouhani accused Washington of “childish behavior” and acting out of fear on Thursday after it imposed sanctions on Iran’s foreign minister.
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, blocking any property or interests he has in the United States. But Zarif said he had none.
“They (Americans) are resorting to childish behavior... They were claiming every day ‘We want to talk, with no preconditions’ ...and then they sanction the foreign minister,” Rouhani said in remarks carried live on state television.
US President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers last year and ramped up sanctions to put pressure on Iran’s economy.
In recent months bilateral relations have worsened significantly after attacks on tankers in the Gulf that the United States blames on Iran, a charge denied by Tehran, and Iran’s downing of a US drone.
“A country which believes it’s powerful and a world superpower is afraid of our foreign minister’s interviews,” Rouhani said.
“When Dr. Zarif gives an interview in New York, ... they (Americans) say Iran’s foreign minister is misleading our public opinion,” he noted, according to Reuters.
“What happened to your claims of liberty, freedom of expression and democracy?”
Meanwhile, the European Union said Thursday it regrets Washington's decision to impose sanctions against Zarif and vowed to continue working with him.
"We regret this decision," said Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela, a spokesman for EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini, AFP reported.
"From our side, we will continue to work with Mr Zarif as Iran's most senior diplomat and in view of the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels," Martin added.
