Islamic Republic's Reaction to the Possibility of Permanent Sanctions: It Is Futile

The spokesperson for the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized distrust towards the U.S. government, accusing it of creating instability in the region and claiming that the United States is 'addicted' to sanctioning what he called 'independent governments.' Nasser Kanani, the spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated in his weekly press conference on Monday, July 5, that the U.S. has violated human rights in various matters and said that a 'soon-to-be-released annual report' on this issue will be published. He added that the exchange of prisoners between the two countries is 'on the agenda' and that the final decision regarding it rests with the U.S. government. According to Iranian news agencies, this diplomatic official dismissed reports about an 'unwritten understanding between Iran and the U.S.' as 'media speculation' and did not confirm it. He stated that the Islamic Republic has adhered to 'the negotiating table' and is pursuing this matter 'within the framework of established policies.' The spokesperson reiterated that 'we have never trusted the U.S. government and we will not trust it,' accusing the United States of 'creating instability and tension in the region' for its own interests. Kanani claimed that the U.S. insists on 'negotiating and resolving contentious issues and the JCPOA' while simultaneously working to 'maintain and intensify sanctions,' stating that 'these are contradictory.' He asserted that 'Americans have become addicted to imposing sanctions on independent governments,' claiming that sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran are a 'violation of human rights' and have not led to the desired outcomes for the United States. Kanani's remarks come as a journalist in Iran recently told Voice of America that the Islamic Republic is in a situation similar to 'the Soviet Union in the years leading up to its collapse.' Additionally, the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved two resolutions on June 21 related to human rights violations in Iran and sanctions imposed against the Islamic Republic. Resolution 3033, proposed by Representative Michelle Steel, a Republican, was introduced to Congress in early April. This resolution calls for the repeal of the 'sunset clauses' of the 1996 U.S. sanctions law against Iran and the permanent establishment of these sanctions. The spokesperson for the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called for the 'unconditional release' of Hamid Nouri, a former judicial official of the Islamic Republic who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Sweden for his involvement in the execution of political prisoners in 1988, adding: 'We are seriously pursuing the release of this citizen.' Kanani described the potential approval of the ninth human rights sanctions package by the European Union against the Islamic Republic, coinciding with the 'request for dialogue' from Europe, as 'a futile path' and 'an unconstructive action,' urging the European Union to 'avoid placing its foot in the footsteps of the U.S.' Simultaneously with these statements, Europe sanctioned seven officials of the Islamic Republic for serious human rights violations. With the sanctions package issued on Monday, a total of 223 individuals and 37 entities of the Islamic Republic are now under EU sanctions, including asset freezes, travel bans to Europe, and prohibitions on using economic resources.