Iran to Take 'Reciprocal and Proportional Actions' in Response to Senate Sanctions Package

Iran on Friday threatened to take 'reciprocal and proportional actions' to safeguard its national interests in response to the new sanctions package approved by the U.S. Senate. The Senate voted on Thursday on a new bill titled 'Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities,' which includes sanctions due to the development of Iran's missile program, support for terrorism, and human rights violations. This bill, which will become law after being approved by the House of Representatives and signed by the U.S. President, received the support of 98 U.S. senators, with only Republican Senator Rand Paul and independent Senator Bernie Sanders voting against it. Senator Sanders stated that despite his support for previous sanctions, he believes the new sanctions could jeopardize the nuclear agreement with Tehran, especially at a time when tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia are escalating, calling it a 'danger that is not worth experiencing.' In Iran, both members of parliament and Ali Akbar Velayati, an international advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei and a member of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) oversight board, have described the Senate's resolution as contradictory to the JCPOA and promised an appropriate response. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has also assessed the new resolution as indicative of 'the inherent hostility of the U.S. towards the Islamic Republic' and reminded that 'the U.S. has commitments under the JCPOA, which is an international document, that must be fully and in good faith fulfilled.' He stated that in the implementation of the JCPOA, 'the domestic regulations of countries are not the criterion for action, and governments cannot evade their legal obligations by resorting to such regulations.' Mr. Qasemi also emphasized that 'Iran is closely monitoring and reviewing the provisions and text of this law and the process of its approval in the House of Representatives and potential signature by the U.S. President, and the JCPOA oversight board will decisively take reciprocal and proportional actions to ensure the national interests of the country.' No details were provided regarding what Iran's 'reciprocal and proportional actions' would entail, but over the past year, Iran has placed at least two American companies on its sanctions list in response to U.S. sanctions against Iran. In recent years, the Islamic Republic's insistence on pursuing certain regional and international policies, including its controversial nuclear program, has led to Iran's isolation in international circles. During nuclear negotiations, world powers have repeatedly expressed hope that Iran could take on a responsible and constructive role in global relations by resolving the nuclear issue. However, human rights violations, Iran's missile program, and what is described as the Islamic Republic's 'destabilizing role' in the region have continued to provoke criticism from the U.S. and its allies, particularly in the Middle East, and the new Senate sanctions package against Iran has been prepared in light of such behaviors. Recently, the Iranian leader expressed the opinion that 'issues such as human rights, terrorism, and the claim of creating instability in the region are excuses used by the U.S. against the Islamic system,' and if there is a retreat in the face of enemies, 'new demands will be raised,' and these demands will not stop.