Iran condemns new US sanctions on petrochemical industry

Iran condemns new US sanctions on petrochemical industry
Iran's Foreign Ministry has called US President Donald Trump's apparent readiness for talks with Tehran 'hollow' following new sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
1 min read
08 June, 2019
New US sanctions have targeted Iran's petrochemicals industry [AFP]

Iran has condemned new US sanctions targeting its petrochemical industry, saying they prove President Donald Trump is not serious about pursuing negotiations.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi was quoted by state TV on Saturday as saying the move amounts to "economic terrorism" and is in line with other hostile American policies.

"Only one week was needed for the US president's claim that he was ready to negotiate with Iran to be proven hollow," Mousavi said.

On Friday, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Iran's largest and most profitable petrochemicals group, PGPIC, for allegedly doing business with the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. The White House branded the Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organisation in April.

Trump has ramped up sanctions on Iran since withdrawing the United States from Iran's 2015 nuclear accord with world powers last year, while saying as recently as this week that he is open to talks with Tehran.

Tags