The foreign minister is decrying new US sanctions over Iran's ballistic missile testing, calling them an example of an American "addiction to coercion".
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, speaking Wednesday to AP, called the ballistic program legitimate self-defense and said the prospect of restoring bilateral diplomatic relations is "far away" despite the recent landmark nuclear deal.
He spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos before taking part in a debate focusing on the Islamic Republic.
The United States on Sunday imposed sanctions against 11 individuals and entities involved in Iran's ballistic missile program as a result of Tehran's firing of a medium-range ballistic missile, one day after the Obama administration lifted economic penalties against Iran over its nuclear program.
"We believe these sanctions are uncalled for. We believe the sanctions are illegal. They violate basic principles. The Iranian missile program is a legitimate defense program" and allowed under the landmark nuclear deal, he said.
"It shows that the United States has an addiction which has been very difficult for it to overcome," Zarif said, specifying, "Its addiction to pressure, addiction to coercion, addiction to sanctions."
