Irans officials have lashed out at the US blacklisting of 19 additional Iranian companies and individuals for alleged support of Tehrans nuclear program.However, contrary to headlines in mainstream media, Tehran has not suspended the implementation of the interim nuclear deal signed on November 24 in Geneva.
Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Tehrans lead nuclear negotiator, said on Friday that Iran would react accordingly to the blacklisting, as it was against the spirit of the Geneva deal.
But he did not indicate any suspension of the process, which included four-day technical talks in Vienna and the visit of the International Atomic Energy Agency to Tehran this week.
Irans Ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammad Khazaei,joined the criticism of Washington, Such moves can, at this juncture, have serious negative consequences on the trend of the negotiations.
Some of the sharpest comments came from the Chairman of Parliaments National Security Committee, Alaeddin Boroujerdi,who denouncedthe flagrant violation of the Geneva nuclear accord and said US officials revealed that they are not trustworthy.
Boroujerdi said Iran should expedite our peaceful [nuclear] activities.
The MP did not say if Tehran should maintain enrichment of 20% uranium, a process it has promised to suspend under the six-month interim nuclear agreement.
On Thursday, the US Treasury announced the 19 additions to its blacklist for claimed assistance to Irans nuclear activities. However, Congress pulled back from legislation which would have mandated new sanctions if Iran was found to be in violation of the terms of interim deal.
By EA WorldView
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