US sanctions violate Geneva deal: Zarif

Iran’s foreign minister says new sanctions imposed by Washington on Tehran in some cases violate the agreement between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 group of world powers.

Mohammad Javad Zarif said during a Sunday joint press conference with Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja in Tehran that the measure taken by the United States is unconstructive and in contrast with the spirit of the Geneva agreement.

The Iranian foreign minister added that Tehran believes that such measures would make it more difficult to reach a final comprehensive deal with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China – plus Germany.

The Finnish foreign minister, for his part, expressed hope that all obstacles to a comprehensive nuclear deal are removed.

On Friday, Washington imposed sanctions on over 25 Iranian individuals and companies, including shipping firms, oil companies, airlines and six banks.

The sanctions come as Iran and the six countries are in talks to reach a final agreement aimed at resolving the standoff over Tehran’s civilian nuclear work.

The two sides signed a historic interim deal in the Swiss city of Geneva in November 2013. The agreement entered into force on January 20 and expired six months later. In July, Iran and the six countries agreed to extend their negotiations until November 24 in a bid to work out a final accord.

The next round of talks between Iran and the six countries will be held in New York in September.

DB/HSN