First Vice President of Rouhani Responds to American Officials' Remarks on 'Iran's Support for Terrorism'

In the ongoing verbal conflict between Iranian and American officials, Iran's First Vice President called the U.S. officials' statements regarding Iran's support for terrorism 'worn out.' The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister also stated that 'we are ready for any situation regarding the JCPOA.' According to the state news agency IRNA, on Saturday, February 5, Ishaq Jahangiri, the First Vice President of Iran, said in a speech that the accusations from American officials about Iran supporting terrorism have become 'so worn out that even the speaker feels ashamed to express them.' He emphasized that 'the people and officials of Iran attach the least value to these words and comments.' Jahangiri mentioned that 'if the language of respect is used when speaking to the people of this country and issues are resolved through negotiation and dialogue, it can be beneficial for everyone, as the President has said.' Referring to the change in tone of American officials, he added: 'They should know that they are speaking about a sensitive region where Iran is stable and is not only not a problem for the region but is a contributor to stability.' Jahangiri's remarks come in the wake of recent statements from American officials regarding Iran's new missile test last Sunday, with President Donald Trump and National Security Advisor Michael Flynn having warned Iran multiple times about this. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department on Friday, February 4, added 25 individuals and entities to its sanctions list in connection with the recent missile test by the Islamic Republic. In response, Iran has threatened to impose 'legal restrictions' on individuals and companies that, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, 'play a role in creating and supporting extremist terrorist groups in the region' and 'assist in the massacre and suppression of defenseless people in the region.' On Saturday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the beginning of the 'main phase' of a missile exercise in Semnan, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, threatened that 'if the enemy makes a mistake, our missiles will roar down upon them.' Regarding the JCPOA, Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated that there is no concept of strict implementation in the nuclear agreement. The verbal tensions between Iranian and American officials occur as a year has passed since the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement. During his election campaign, Donald Trump called the Iran nuclear deal the worst deal possible and indicated he would seek to renegotiate it if he came to power. However, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister stated that there is no term or concept of strict implementation in the Vienna nuclear agreement, and 'on the contrary, there is constructive implementation with goodwill.' Takht-Ravanchi mentioned in an interview that it is currently not possible to comment on possible U.S. actions, and in the case of a 'violation' of the Vienna nuclear agreement, the monitoring body for the JCPOA will take 'appropriate decisions.' He added that 'the other side knows they should not make unreasonable decisions... and jeopardize the JCPOA. Iran's capabilities are deterrent. If they are wise, they will not enter these realms.' Takht-Ravanchi also stated that Iran has not engaged European countries as intermediaries to discuss the JCPOA with U.S. officials, as the Islamic Republic is prepared for both scenarios of implementation or cancellation of this agreement. He also mentioned that some European officials have contacted U.S. officials regarding this agreement. In this interview, Takht-Ravanchi also said that the Islamic Republic has not yet submitted a request to the special purchasing commission established under the Vienna nuclear agreement for the purchase of dual-use military goods. He accused U.S. officials of telling European banks in negotiations that 'you should not do such things and somehow scaring them.' Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, stated on Sunday, January 15, the anniversary of the implementation of the Vienna nuclear agreement, that all obstacles to the implementation of this agreement have been removed and the three key areas of energy, transportation, and banking have 'returned to normal.' He emphasized that the problems of Iran's banking system for cooperation with foreign banks have 'multiple causes, none of which are related to the JCPOA,' and some are related to the initial U.S. sanctions.