Zarif Says US Turned into Rogue Country After Abandoning JCPOA

By Sputnik

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Sputnik about the steps Iran expects from Russia regarding the US arms embargo, as well as how to deal with the United States. He also touched upon the issue of how the US has become a "rogue state" and why Saudi Arabia should “wake up”.

Responding to a question regarding the US’ draft UN Security Council resolution to extend the arms embargo on Iran, Zarif said “As you know, even US allies haven’t accepted this project, considering it extremely dangerous. In a five-page letter, Russia has expressed its position regarding this US step. The United States is a country that violated the JCPOA by withdrawing from the nuclear deal. They violated resolution 2231. Therefore, the US is not in a position to talk about JCPOA. Russia, Iran, and China have similar positions on that.”

Elaborating on Iran’s general strategy in this respect, Zarif went on to explains that three JCPOA members [Russia, Iran, and China] are totally against these steps. Other parties to the nuclear agreement have also said that such steps are contrary to the JCPOA, that is, all current members of the nuclear deal have similar positions on this issue. However, Russia, China, and Iran don’t agree with the concerns and compromise proposals of some European parties to the JCPOA, since any steps in this area would violate Resolution 2231.

When asked about earlier comments that the US would become a rogue state if it withdrew from the nuclear deal, Zarif stressed that it has certainly become a rogue and lawbreaker state. “However, this country has significant banking capabilities and influence on the global banking system. Nevertheless, an important result has been achieved: the global community is considering whether it is necessary to recognize the US power over the global banking system or whether there is a need to change it. We are currently seeing some steps in this direction.”