The United States has sanctioned Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as part of the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure campaign.”
Zarif was added on Wednesday to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list, which blocks him access from entering the United States in addition to its markets.
The move comes amid increasing tensions after America withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, reimposing sanctions lifted under it and adding new ones.
Zarif was admitted to the United States a few weeks ago on a strict travel visa to address the United Nations.
In response to Thursday’s action, the Iranian leader seemed to mock the United States.
“The US’ reason for designating me is that I am Iran’s “primary spokesperson around the world” Is the truth really that painful? It has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interests outside of Iran. Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda,” he tweeted.
The US' reason for designating me is that I am Iran's "primary spokesperson around the world"
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) July 31, 2019
Is the truth really that painful?
It has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interests outside of Iran.
Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda.
“Iran’s Foreign Ministry is not merely the diplomatic arm of the Islamic Republic but also a means of advancing many of the Supreme Leader’s destabilizing policies,” said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement. “Foreign Minister Zarif and the Foreign Ministry he runs take their direction from the Supreme Leader and his office. Foreign Minister Zarif is a key enabler of Ayatollah Khamenei’s policies throughout the region and around the world. The designation of Javad Zarif today reflects this reality.”
Last month, Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and those near him were sanctioned by the United States.
