Iranian Foreign Minister reveals Tehran's assessment of the extent of the economic damage caused to it by more than 800 different sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on the Islamic Republic • Zarif: "We will raise the issue with the United States when we sit down with it, after lifting sanctions"
Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif // Photo: Reuters
Shops closed in the central buzzer in Tehran // Photo: AFP
Iranian citizens exchange money during inflation in the country // Photo: AP
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said today (Sunday) that the damage from US sanctions has cost Iran's economy more than $ 1 trillion, stating that his country will demand that Washington pay compensation to Tehran for the damage.
In an hour-long interview with Iranian news network PressTV, the minister said: "The United States has imposed on us 800 different sanctions that have caused economic damage of over $ 1 trillion. We will discuss with the United States compensation when we sit down to negotiate with them, after the sanctions are lifted."
Reuters
"We will get what we deserve, whether in the form of direct compensation payments, financial investment or the establishment of a mechanism that will ensure that actions like President Trump's will not happen in the future," Zarif announced during the interview.
Zarif condemned European conduct, saying: "Germany, Britain and France have shown that they are waiting for American action to act on their own. This has brought them to where they are now against Iran. They must now press the United States to return to the agreement, if only to save their honor."
The IAEA chairman visited Iran
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, landed in Tehran today for intensive talks with the heads of the country's nuclear program, in order to promote the United States' return to the nuclear agreement and prevent further escalation in Iranian violations of the agreement.
Grossi met with Iranian Ambassador to the Agency, Kazem Garibabadi and with Iranian Atomic Energy Agency Spokesman, on Rose Kamelbandi.
The Iranians announced at the end of the meeting that they would issue a statement on the issue during the evening hours.
Grossi also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who said during the meeting: "The United States will not be able to return to the nuclear deal without lifting sanctions on Iran. Once the Americans return to full compliance with the nuclear deal, so will we."
Commenting on the entry into force of legislation expected to deepen violations of the nuclear deal on Tehran's part, Zarif said: "This is never an ultimatum. Like any democracy, we have voted for a law and the government to abide by it. The move is not a departure from the deal."
Meanwhile, the White House today issued a statement on U.S. talks with Iranians regarding the return of U.S. citizens with Iranian citizenship who are being held in detention by Tehran and accused of espionage, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the arrest of U.S. citizens. "B is a" scandal. "
In an interview with CBS, he noted that "the Biden administration prioritizes returning those Americans safely home."