ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s foreign ministry on Monday condemned the United States for rescinding a waiver allowing neighboring Iraq to import gas from Iran.
"Such statements are an admission of lawlessness and crimes against humanity because US sanctions have no legal justification,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a Monday presser, adding that they are in contact with Baghdad regarding the issue.
On Sunday, the US rescinded a waiver that permitted Iraq to purchase electricity from Iran as part of President Donald Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran, which also aims to drive Tehran’s oil exports down to zero.
“The US must definitely be held accountable for the consequences of these sanctions. It is good for the countries of the region to make decisions based on their own interests and respect and not let US pressure affect relations," Baghaei stressed.
Iraq is heavily reliant on Iranian gas imports to support its electricity production. Previous waivers from Washington allowed Baghdad to bypass American sanctions on Tehran as a short-term stopgap until it is able to wean itself off of Iran for its energy needs.
He also stated that Tehran has not received any letter from Washington regarding nuclear negotiations.
On Saturday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the country will not accept demands from a “bully” who only seeks dominance rather than solving problems. He did not name the United States, but his comments come a day after US President Donald Trump said he sent a letter to the Supreme Leader in a bid to open nuclear negotiations.
"No, no letter has been received," Baghaei said, accusing the US of “lawless” acts against Iran.
“Using the duality of war or negotiation shows a lack of seriousness,” he added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday said that Tehran will “not even consider” negotiating under pressure about Tehran’s nuclear program.
Under a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions.
But the deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew from the accord and imposed biting sanctions on the Islamic republic, which in turn began escalating its nuclear enrichment efforts.
Soon after returning to power this year, Trump restored his “maximum pressure” policy that authorized sanctions with the goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon or expanding its missile program, warning that Tehran is “too close” to a nuclear weapon.
Trump has said that he would be open to making a new nuclear deal with Tehran, but in February, Khamenei said it would be “unwise” to negotiate with the US.
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