Iran has strongly rejected US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's demand for sweeping changes in its foreign, military and nuclear policies, saying Washington is in no position to dictate the country's direction.
"The despicable, baseless, insulting and interventionist remarks by the new US secretary of state and his false claims against the great, civilized Iranian nation reflect the US government’s desperation vis-à-vis the Iranian people. It also exposes its futile bid to deflect the world's attention from the illegal move and breach by the US in violating the JCPOA," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by ISNA late Monday.
*** US Demands
In an effort to increase pressure on Tehran after US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 international nuclear deal—formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—Pompeo on Monday laid out the so-called US "new Iran strategy" and threatened it with "the strongest sanctions in history".
He insisted, among other things, that Iran end all nuclear enrichment programs and close its heavy water reactor, halt support for regional allies such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, withdraw all forces from Syria and stop developing ballistic missiles.
*** Dictating Policy
The Foreign Ministry statement said the US government, which has violated its international political and legal commitments, simply does not hold the high moral ground to set conditions for Iran.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran dismisses every single claim and accusation made in the so-called new strategy, regards the US secretary of state's brazen comments as clear interference in its internal affairs and an unlawful threat against a United Nations member state and reserves the right to take legal measures," the ministry said. Washington will be held accountable for the consequences of any illegal action against Tehran.
It accused the US of supporting terrorist groups, staging coups against legally elected governments, plundering the wealth of oppressed nations, massacring defenseless civilians including women and children and violating human rights as well as producing and using weapons of mass destruction.
Iran has stood against the US for the past four decades and will foil the new plots, the statement read, urging American officials to learn from history and put an end to their "failed tactics”.
*** Decision Making
President Hassan Rouhani on Monday condemned the US belligerent attitude toward Iran, saying that the rest of the world no longer accepts Washington making decisions on their behalf, IRNA reported.
"Who are you to decide for Iran and the world?" the president said. "All the countries in the world want to have independence in making their own decisions. The Americans may be able to advance their agenda through pressure tactics in some cases, but it is not logical that they decide for the world."
He was referring to the fact that Trump's decision to quit the landmark nuclear agreement has put the US on a collision course with its European allies, who are determined to try and salvage the agreement.
Russia and China, two other parties to the agreement, have also criticized the US move and vowed to maintain trade with Iran.
*** US Regression
"Today there is an administration in charge in the US that has pushed the country back 15 years overnight…to the era of Bush junior," Rouhani said, referring to former president George W. Bush who ordered the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 based on allegations of weapons of mass destruction which turned out to be false.
He said the world will not accept that a former "spy agency" boss decide for Iran and other countries, referring to Pompeo's job as CIA director before being appointed as secretary of state.
*** Prisoners of Delusion
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday that Trump's team is repeating the same mistakes made by the previous US administrations.
"US diplomacy sham is merely a regression to old habits: imprisoned by delusions & failed policies—dictated by corrupt Special Interest—it repeats the same wrong choices and will thus reap the same ill rewards. Iran, meanwhile, is working with partners for post-US JCPOA solutions," he wrote on his official Twitter account.
Mehr News Agency quoted Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani as saying on Tuesday that the US official's comments did not "deserve a response".
*** Survival of Iran Deal
In a separate development, a senior Foreign Ministry official said the nuclear accord will not survive if other signatories try to push in other issues in the new negotiations over the fate of the agreement.
"If they try to link the JCPOA to other issues, they will lose the deal and will make it more complicated to resolve other issues," Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi told Spain's El Pais newspaper, IRNA reported on Tuesday.
"We all decided at the time to discuss the nuclear program separately from other matters and just focus on settling this issue, and that is why it worked," he stated, referring to the West's concerns over Iran's regional activities and missile program.
Iran says its regional policy is aimed at promoting peace and security and that its missiles are for defensive purposes.
*** Practical Solutions
Asked if he thinks that European leaders will be able to help keep the agreement alive, Araqchi said it remains to be seen whether they will be able to offer Iran a financial package based on "practical solutions".
Iran has given the European parties to the deal two months to provide "guarantees" to ensure its national interests after the US unilateral withdrawal and has made it clear that Tehran will remain faithful to the pact if it can be protected from sanctions against key sectors of its economy.
