Fatemeh Mohajerani made the statement at a press briefing on Tuesday as she excoriated the unilateral and arbitrary sanctions the Trump administration has since taking office in January imposed on Iran concomitant with indirect talks on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
“These sanctions are not being imposed for the first time; these sanctions target the Iranian people and put pressure on people's medicine, healthcare, and lives. We have taken the necessary measures to counter the sanctions. These sanctions indicate America's lack of sincerity for negotiations,” Mohajerani said.
“The necessary measures to counter the sanctions have been taken; we are prepared for all scenarios and we are completely ready,” she added.
The government spokeswoman also pointed to the US officials’ recent remarks on the prohibition of enrichment for Iran and the imposition of new sanctions.
"American sanctions are unilateral, arbitrary, and contrary to the principles of international law, and show that the US is a violator of human rights and an example of international terrorism," Mohajerani said.
"We are committed to our pledge of peaceful use of nuclear energy and defend the rights of our people. We are not overly optimistic, as the dishonesty of the Americans has been proven many times."
She further noted, “There is no problem with the negotiations on our part. We are waiting for the Omani foreign minister to announce his opinion on continuing the negotiations. The reason for the delay in continuing the negotiations, based on what the Omani foreign minister has announced, has been technical and logistical issues.”
Touching on the latest status of indirect US-Iran talks mediated by the Sultanate of Oman, Mohajerani said, “Our red lines are clear, we only talk about the nuclear issue. Nuclear energy has peaceful uses for us, and this is the right of the Iranian people. We have declared our commitment to the diplomatic process in practice and have participated in the negotiations; the other side must show its good faith.”
Asked whether the US goal of isolating Iran has been successful in the wake of successive sanctions, she added, “When we see 110 countries participating in the exhibition in Iran or dozens of African countries coming to Iran for the investment conference, it shows that Iran's diplomatic process has been successful and the US pressure has not paid off.”
Mohajerani was speaking of Iran Expo 2025 and the 3rd Iran-Africa Economic Cooperation Conference that were held in the capital Tehran last week in defiance of longtime anti-Iran sanctions.
Mediated by Oman, Iran and the US have held three rounds of talks in the Omani capital of Muscat and Italian capital of Rome on April 12, 19, and 26 with the aim of reaching a deal on Iran’s nuclear program and the removal of sanctions on Tehran.
Both parties have so far expressed satisfaction with the way the negotiations are moving on, praising the talks as “positive” and “moving forward.”
A fourth round of the talks was scheduled to be held on May 3 in Muscat but was postponed for “logistical and technical reasons” as cited by the Iranian foreign minister.
Speaking in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Trump's regional envoy Steve Witkoff called the indirect talks with Iran "positive," saying efforts are underway to take the process into another round this weekend.
Witkoff said any delay in the apparent underway push to continue the process would be due to Trump's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar next week.
During his first term in office, Trump withdrew the United States from a previous agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and launched a so-called maximum pressure campaign against the country.
Trump restored that policy after returning to the White House for a second term in January, but he has since signaled a willingness to make a new deal to replace the 2015 deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
On March 12, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s leadership, asking for negotiations to reach a new deal and threatening military action if Tehran refused. Iran has ruled out direct negotiations with the US under pressure and threats, but said indirect talks remain an option.
Press TV