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Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister in Tehran

Written by Subject: Iran

Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister in Tehran

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Following talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi in Tehran, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov accused the Trump regime of exerting "severe pressure (on) Iran…attempt(ing) to blackmail the country," adding:

"(T)here is no positive (US) agenda…(no) alternative options" in dealing with the Islamic Republic.

Trump and hardline regime officials declare they're "open for dialogue." But they're doing nothing positive to promote "real talks," nothing indicating anything can be achieved toward reducing bilateral tensions — just the opposite.

Ryabkov stressed the importance of preserving the JCPOA. Its collapse would destabilize the region more than already — the Trump regime's aim Tehran should resist.

Because of no progress on "restor(ing) balance inside the JCPOA" because Britain, France, and Germany reneged on their promises in deference to the Trump regime, "Iran's next steps will become inevitable." 

"We have no doubt" it's heading toward withdrawal from the deal because promises made for going along were fulfilled by Russia and China alone.

Last week, Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the Trump regime of escalating tensions with Iran, adding:

Its sanctions war, hostile rhetoric, and provocative saber-rattling actions are "deliberately provoking Iran into sterner retaliation measures and looking for a reason to engage in direct confrontation…a very dangerous policy."

"Not only is it destroying the JCPOA, but also can result in broader destabilization across the whole Middle Eastern Region."

Virtually all US accusations against Iran lack credibility. Evidence never presented shows they're groundless.

On Wednesday, Iranian Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei ruled out talks with Trump regime hardliners, saying the following:

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will absolutely not sit for talks with America…because first, it bears no fruit, and second, it is harmful (and) a total loss," accomplishing nothing if held.

Talks reflect US deception. They have nothing to do with "negotiation. (They're) rather a means for picking the fruits of pressure" — a game Iran won't play.

If the Trump regime was serious about improving bilateral relations, it would rescind illegally imposed sanctions, rejoin the JCPOA, as well as cease hostile rhetoric, threats, false accusations, and saber-rattling.

Its actions are polar opposite with a new wrinkle. According to a Treasury Department letter from undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Sigal Mandelker, the Trump regime will ban the EU's so-called Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) from the US financial system and impose sanctions on any European nations using it.

Announced in February without follow-through by Britain, France and Germany, it would allegedly facilitate EU sanctions-free trade with Iran.

Supposedly it would operate as a bartering arrangement between EU member states and the Islamic Republic, bypassing dollar transactions. Failure to implement INSTEX shows it's another bloc promise without fulfillment.

Threatening sanctions on EU countries for maintaining normal economic, financial, and trade relations with Iran is further proof of the Trump regime's unrelenting toughness on the country, along with others not going along with its unlawful policies.

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My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

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