US turned into rogue state after leaving Iran nuclear deal: Zarif

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohmmad Javad Zarif says the US has turned into a “rogue” country after leaving the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal in defiance of international law and re-imposing economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

In an interview with Russia’s Sputnik news agency on Wednesday, Zarif said the US violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231 by pulling out of the deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

“The United States has certainly become a rogue and lawbreaker state” after ditching the deal,” he said. “Therefore, the US is not in a position to talk about the JCPOA. Russia, Iran and China have similar positions on that.”

The Iranian foreign minister said that Washington has proved it is not an honest broker in its dealing with the global community.

“The global community has concluded that the United States is a rather unreliable partner that is violating all legal norms and doesn’t abide by its obligations,” said Zarif.

Cornered at UNSC, US faces historic rebuke from world powers over Iran

At the UNSC, the US faces a rebuke from world powers, including its own allies, over its hostile push to secure an extension of the anti-Iran UN arms embargo.

The Iranian top diplomat further said that although the US “has significant banking capabilities and influence on the global banking system,” the world “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.”

“This doesn’t work in the global system. What will work is focusing on the rule of law and multipolarity, regardless of any US pressure on the multipolar world system, since the behavior of the current US government goes against the interests of the global community and even the interests of the United States itself. Even the US population has decided that one cannot succeed in the medium to long term by violating the law,” said Zarif.

Referring to Washington’s hostile pressure campaign to secure an extension of the anti-Iran arms embargo, which is slated to expire in October under the UNSC-endorsed nuclear deal, Zarif said, “Even US allies haven’t accepted this project, considering it extremely dangerous.”

On Saudi Arabia

When asked what actions were taken to restore relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Zarif said Iran was ready to hold talks with Saudi Arabia to promote regional security.

Iran ready for negotiations with Saudi Arabia, Persian Gulf states: FM Zarif

Iran

“However, it seems that the Saudi Arabian authorities are more aimed at starting a war (along) with the United States and benefitting from it,” but “over the past few months, the US has shown that it is not ready to get into a war in the interests of Saudi Arabia.”

“Saudis had better wake up, cheer up and engage in dialog with those who are always with them in the region, instead of aiming their efforts at cooperating with Israel and the United States,” said Zarif.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk