Iran says U.S. extension of sanctions violates nuclear deal

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Friday that the U.S. Senate's vote to extend sanctions against the Islamic republic is a violation of an international deal on Tehran's nuclear issue clinched in July 2015.

"As it was repeatedly announced by senior Iranian officials, the recent decision by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to extend sanctions against Iran runs counter to the JCPOA (or the nuclear deal)," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi.

"It is also against the U.S. obligations under international law on non-interference in domestic and international relations of other countries," Qasemi was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted for the extension of the ISA for another 10 years, which was endorsed by the the U.S. Senate on Thursday. To become a law, the bill has still to be signed by the U.S. president.

The ISA was first adopted in 1996 to sanction Iran over its controversial nuclear program.

Qasemi said Friday that "the political developments inside the United States and interactions between its legislative and executive branches cannot justify the country's failure to abide by its international commitments."

Iran has already "proved its commitment to international agreements and has made necessary preparations to effectively, firmly and prudently safeguard the nation's rights," he said.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the U.S. administration's conduct, and will present a report to the committee tasked with monitoring the JCPOA's implementation, he added.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last week that if the United States renews the ISA, the Islamic republic will "definitely" react.

"So far, the incumbent U.S. government has committed several violations with regard to the nuclear agreement," Khamenei said, adding that "If these sanctions are executed, this will surely constitute a violation of the JCPOA and they (the U.S. officials) should know that the Islamic republic will definitely react to it."

Iran and six world major countries -- the United States, Britain, China, Russia, France and Germany -- reached an agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue in July 2015 that puts Iran on the path of sanctions relief but more strict limits on its nuclear program.

The deal sets limits on Iran's nuclear activities as it will take Tehran at least one year to produce enough fissile materials for producing a nuclear weapon, and allows regular inspections of the facilities inside Iran.

In return, the United States and the European Union will suspend nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran, with the lifting of all past UN Security Council sanction resolutions.

Many members of the U.S. Congress had expressed deep concern over the deal, warning that Tehran could evade inspections and use the money from sanction relief to destabilize the region. Endit