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Sanctions renewal by US breach of commitments: Leader
Sun Nov 27, 2016 2:22PM
http://presstv.com/Detail/2016/11/27/495392/Iran-Leader-Ayatollah-Khamenei-Navy-Habibollah-Sayyari
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the
renewal of sanctions against the Islamic Republic by the US is tantamount to
the violation of commitments under the landmark nuclear deal between Iran
and the group of six countries known as the P5+1.
“During the [nuclear] negotiations there was a lot of debate about the
sanctions, but now they raise the issue of extending the sanctions in the US
Congress and claim that these are not [new] sanctions but renewal [of old
ones],” the Leader said in a meeting with a group of Iranian Navy commanders
and officials in Tehran on Sunday on the occasion of National Navy Day.
“‘Launching sanctions’ is no different from ‘renewing them after their
expiration,’ and the latter is also [an instance of imposing] sanctions and
violation of the previous commitments by the opposite side,” Ayatollah
Khamenei said.
The GOP-controlled US House of Representatives on November 15 passed a bill
for a 10-year extension of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA). The ISA will expire
at the end of 2016 if it is not renewed. The bill must be approved by the
Senate before being signed by the US president into law.
Addressing members of the volunteer Basij forces in Tehran on Wednesday,
Ayatollah Khamenei had warned that Iran would respond if the US proceeded to
renew the ISA.
“If these sanctions are extended, it will surely constitute a violation of
the JCPOA (the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action) and they (US officials) must know that the Islamic Republic will
definitely react to it,” the Leader had said.
Elsewhere in his Sunday remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Iranian
naval forces for their progress and achievements in various areas and
stressed the importance of continuing with plans and projects until they
come to fruition while recommending his audience to perseverance and
avoiding hastiness in carrying out various tasks.
The Leader emphasized that sturdy resolve and relentlessness in the face of
limitations are necessary to overcome shortcomings.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the powerful presence of Iran’s Navy in the
high seas will boost the country’s might and defense capabilities and added
that such presence must be increased.
Prior to the Leader’s remarks, the Iranian Navy chief presented a report
about the naval forces’ activities and measures.
Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the Navy has safeguarded national
interests through its “powerful and continuous” presence in the high seas
and while establishing its presence far beyond regional waters, has put on
display the naval forces’ prowess.”
In recent years, Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international
waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and
tankers.
In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been
conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, safeguarding
merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other
countries.
Iran’s Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign
tankers during its missions in international waters.