US TREASURY DEPARTMENT GIVES SANCTION AGAINST IRAN NUCLEAR SUPPORTERS

        Washington, 12 Shafar 1435/15 December 2013 (MINA) – The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions against a number of companies and individuals for “providing support for” Iran’s nuclear energy program.

         The new US sanctions came despite the nuclear deal inked between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – Russia, China, France, Britain and the US – plus Germany in the Swiss city of Geneva on November 24.

         On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed the US action as “unconstructive and inappropriate” and reaffirmed Iran’s resolve to respond prudently to such measures, while seriously pursuing the nuclear negotiations with the six countries.

        Hashemi Rafsanjani, Chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council, warned that radical elements in both the Iran and the US are pushing to repeal the historic Geneva nuclear deal signed between Tehran and the P5+1 group of nations last month.

        Hosting a group of university students at his office on Saturday, Rafsanjani emphasized that “the people [of Iran] will not let the radicals destroy the hope that has emerged out of the Geneva accord”.

        Referring to the additional sanctions that have been brought against new individuals and companies connected to Iran by the US Treasury Department, Rafsanjani said that hard-liners in Iran and the US are seeking to annul the Geneva accord.

        “[President] Obama is also under pressure by the radicals and is being asked to explain why Washington signed the deal with Iran in Geneva,” Rafsanjani added.

         On Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed the US action as “unconstructive and inappropriate” and reaffirmed Iran’s resolve to respond prudently to such measures, while seriously pursuing the nuclear negotiations with the six countries.

         Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the escalation of international pressure against Iran over the country’s nuclear energy program. London’s media Asharq Al-Awsat and Iranian Press TV reporter as quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

         “As long as we don’t see actions instead of words, the international pressure should continue, and even more than that, it should be strengthened,” Netanyahu said on Sunday.

         The remarks were Netanyahu’s first comments after the four-day expert-level nuclear talks between the representatives of Iran and six world powers in Vienna last week.

          Following the conclusion of the interim agreement, Netanyahu described the nuclear deal as a “historic mistake.”

         Israel, known as the sole possessor of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, has repeatedly accused Iran of pursing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program and threatened to take unilateral military action against the country.

        Speaking on Saturday, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt did not rule out the European Union taking the decision to relax sanctions on Iran in January.

       “”I would hope we would see the lifting of the sanctions in January. I see no reason against it,” Bildt told Reuters on the sidelines of a World Policy Conference.

         Commenting on the US move to impose new sanctions on Iranian companies and individuals, Bildt described the decision as “not particularly helpful.” However he also attempted to play down the significant of the decision, adding that “I don’t think the problems in Vienna were problems. That was overblown.”

         EU foreign ministers are set to meet next week to discuss a proposal from EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on easing sanctions.(T/P04/E1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)