Iran has vehemently condemned the United States for imposing new sanctions just before a critical round of nuclear talks. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, took to social media platform X on Friday to denounce the move as “outrageous, unlawful, and inhuman.”
The U.S. Department of State announced on Wednesday that it had identified ten new materials allegedly used by Iran in connection with its nuclear, military, or ballistic missile programs. These materials include austenitic nickel-chromium alloy, magnesium ingots, sodium perchlorate, tungsten copper, and specific types of aluminum sheets and tubes. The U.S. claims that Iran’s construction sector is controlled “directly or indirectly” by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.
Baghaei accused the U.S. of implementing “multi-layered sanctions and coercive measures” aimed at depriving Iranian citizens of their basic human rights. “These sanctions are no less than crimes against humanity,” he stated. He also suggested that the timing of the sanctions casts doubt on the U.S.’s willingness to pursue diplomacy, especially ahead of the fifth round of indirect nuclear talks between the two nations.
Despite the new sanctions, Baghaei emphasized that the Iranian nation remains determined to stand firm against what he called “absurd animosity.” In another post on X, he confirmed the arrival of Iran’s negotiating team in Rome for the talks, signaling Tehran’s commitment to the diplomatic process.
The upcoming discussions in Rome mark the fifth round of talks since April, focusing on Tehran’s nuclear program and the potential lifting of U.S. sanctions. The previous rounds have yet to yield a definitive agreement, and the new sanctions add another layer of complexity to the negotiations.
