NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Wednesday that US sanctions against Iran targeted the country’s “malign behaviors” and were aimed at helping the Iranian people take control of their government.
Tillerson told a New Delhi press conference after talks with India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj that the US would not block “legitimate” business activities with Iran by India or any other ally.
President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a tougher line with Iran, threatening to tear up an international accord on its nuclear program.
Tillerson said US actions also sought to limit Iran’s other “destabilizing activities” in the Middle East, including its ballistic missile development, “their export of arms to terrorist organizations” and involvement in conflicts in Syria and Yemen.
“Our fight is not with the Iranian people. Our disagreements are with the revolutionary regime,” Tillerson said.
“We are taking actions to impose sanctions on the regime and in particular the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. It is our objective to deny financing capacity and to disrupt the activities related to these malign behaviors.”
Tillerson made it clear that the US sought to give “support for modern voices inside of Iran” in a bid to bring about an eventual change of government.
“We know there are strong feelings and values inside of Iran that we want to promote in terms of one day the Iranian people being able to retake control of their government. They live under this repressive revolutionary regime and we do not want to harm the Iranian people. Our fight is not with the Iranian people,” he said.
Tillerson was questioned about India’s investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in the Iranian port of Chabahar. The deal was sealed in 2016 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tehran.
The construction of Chabahar expands a trade route for landlocked countries in central Asia that bypasses Pakistan, India’s archrival.
Tillerson said he saw “no contradiction” in the US call for sanctions and India’s deal in Chabahar, and Washington did not aim “to interfere with legitimate business activities that are going on with other businesses whether they be from Europe (or) India.”
Tillerson: US sanctions target Iran’s ‘malign behaviors’
Tillerson: US sanctions target Iran’s ‘malign behaviors’
Abbas says Palestinians stand in solidarity with Jordan amid US-Iran tensions
- Palestinian president condemned Iranian attacks targeting Jordan
- Al-Aqsa Mosque has remained closed since Saturday morning as Israeli authorities declared a state of emergency
LONDON: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed solidarity with Jordan during a phone call with King Abdullah II on Tuesday.
Abbas condemned the Iranian attacks targeting Jordan, reaffirming the Palestinian rejection of any assault that undermines Jordan’s sovereignty or threatens its security and stability, according to Wafa news agency.
After the military actions by the Israeli and US forces in Iran on Saturday, Iran launched suicide drones and missiles into the cities of the Arab Gulf. It also targeted US fighter jets deployed in Azraq, while some missiles struck civilian areas.
Abbas highlighted the importance of dialogue and expressed support for Arab efforts to protect Arab nations, and ensure their security against attacks that violate international law, Wafa added.
For the fourth consecutive day, Israeli forces have intensified military measures throughout the occupied West Bank, closing checkpoints and entrances to cities, towns and villages.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in the walled city of occupied East Jerusalem has remained closed since Saturday morning, as Israeli authorities declared a state of emergency amid the conflict with Iran.
