US unilaterally proclaims UN sanctions on Iran are ‘back in force’

(AFP): The United States unilaterally proclaimed that UN sanctions against Iran were back in effect and promised to punish those who violate them, in a move that increases international tensions.

In this regard, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “Today, the United States welcomes the return of virtually all previously terminated UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

“The measures are back in effect from 8pm Washington time (0000 GMT Sunday),” the US Secretary of State informed. The US government also promised to “impose consequences” on any UN member state that does not comply with the sanctions.

“If UN member states fail to fulfill their obligations to implement these sanctions, the United States is prepared to use our domestic authorities to impose consequences for those failures and ensure that Iran does not reap the benefits of UN-prohibited activity,” Pompeo stated.

He promised that measures would be announced in the coming days against violators. “The US President could unveil those measures during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday,” he added.

However Washington is almost alone on the issue: all the other great powers – China, Russia and also the US’s own European allies – have challenged the claim.

“Any decision or action taken with a view to re-installing the sanctions would be incapable of legal effect,” France, Britain and Germany said in a joint letter.

The Russian foreign ministry also condemned the United States’ unilateral declaration, saying that Washington’s statements lacked legal authority. “The US actions by definition cannot have international legal consequences for other countries,” the foreign ministry said.

Meanwhile, Iran today (Sunday) called on the rest of the world to unite against the reckless actions of the US. “We expect the world to stand against these reckless actions by the regime in the White House and speak in one voice,” foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

“The whole world is saying nothing has changed,” Khatibzadeh said, adding that sanctions were in place only in the imaginary world of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

He further said. “This is much ado about nothing, and I believe these are the most bitter days and hours for the United States.” He also called the United States ‘isolated’ and on the wrong side of history’.