“Although American officials link the recent measures to the sanctions imposed [on Iran] before the Geneva talks, such moves can, at this juncture, have serious negative consequences on the trend of the negotiations,” Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammad Khazaei said on Friday.
He added the measure would fuel skepticism about Washington’s good faith.
On Thursday, the administration of US President Barack Obama issued new sanctions against more than a dozen companies and individuals for “providing support for” Iran’s nuclear program.
”At this juncture, the negative implications of this move will deepen the suspicions of the Iranian nation and the international community which are waiting for a comprehensive win-win agreement as a result of the talks,” Khazaei said.
“The move will also see the negotiations lose international and Iranians’ support,” the envoy added.
Washington’s recent measure would also dash the negotiators’ hope of reaching a “logical, lasting and constructive deal” during the talks, he underlined.
“In this sensitive situation, it is better to avoid any move which would ruin the current positive atmosphere,” said the Iranian diplomat.
Iran's foreign ministry also on Friday slammed Washington’s new sanctions and blamed the US administration for the move.
“Unfortunately, we are witnessing serious confusion in the approach, decisions and remarks of American officials, and the US administration is fully responsible for the consequences of [these] indiscreet measures,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said.
Russian Foreign Ministry also on Friday warned that new US sanctions against Iran can seriously complicate the implementation of Tehran’s nuclear deal with the Sextet of world powers.
On November 24, Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - Russia, China, France, Britain and the US - plus Germany sealed an interim deal in the Swiss city of Geneva to lay the groundwork for the full resolution of the dispute between the West and Iran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.
Under the Geneva deal, it was agreed that no more sanctions would be imposed on Iran within the six months.
