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Extension of anti-Iran sanctions to harm U.S. int'l reputation: FM

Xinhua, December 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday criticized the recent U.S. vote for the extension of Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) and said this will harm the international reputation of the United States, official IRNA news agency reported.

"The U.S. officials are obliged to stop these sanctions," Zarif told IRNA upon arrival in New Delhi of India.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted for the extension of the ISA for another 10 years, which was endorsed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

The bill has still to be signed by the U.S. president to become a law.

"Even if the sanctions bill is signed by the U.S. president, it won't be practical," Zarif said, adding that it will discredit the United States in the international community.

On Friday, Iran declared the possible extension of the U.S. sanctions against the Islamic republic as a violation of an international deal on Iran'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 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi. Endit