Senate sanctions contradict US signal for talks - Iran

IRAN: Tehran said Tuesday a decision by the US Senate to tighten economic sanctions against Iran contradicted assertions by the US administration that it favoured talks on Iran's disputed nuclear work. The measure shows “you cannot trust the gestures and claims of the US administration as (different) power centres exist” within the US political system, foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said in a statement.

The US Senate unanimously approved new economic sanctions Friday aimed at further crippling Iran's energy, shipping and port sectors, a year after the US Congress passed tough restrictions against Tehran.

The amendment is expected to sail through the US House of Representatives, before being signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Mehmanparast said the new sanctions showed Iran's “policy of resisting bullying US behaviour was sound.” He also maintained that the US policy of imposing unilateral sanctions was “clearly weakening international law.”

Obama has said he still prefers a negotiated solution to the nuclear standoff through a dual-approach policy of diplomacy and pressure, adopted by six major world powers engaging Tehran since 2009.

The talks have stalled in recent months, with the last high-level round all but failing in Moscow in June.

AFP