Credit:  presstv.com /   Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The U.S. Department of the Treasury Wednesday imposed sanctions against Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif,  essentially shutting the door on any negotiations with Iran.  The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took the action against Zarif,  pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13876 because the foreign minister “acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly”, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

“Javad Zarif implements the reckless agenda of Iran’s Supreme Leader, and is the regime’s  primary spokesperson around the world.  The United States is sending a clear message to the Iranian regime that its recent behavior is completely unacceptable. At the same time the Iranian regime denies Iranian citizens’ access to social media, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif spreads the regime’s propaganda and disinformation around the world through these mediums.” 

– Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said in a statement

Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated since the US last year withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal that aimed to curb Iranian nuclear activities. Iran responded by breaching the limit on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium set under the nuclear deal.

Foreign Minister Zarif Says U.S. Sanctions  Have No Impact On Him or Family 

The US' reason for designating me is that I am Iran's "primary spokesperson around the world"
Is the truth really that painful?
It has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interests outside of Iran.
Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda.

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) July 31, 2019

Zarif took  to Twitter,  saying the sanctions were imposed because the US considers him a “huge threat” to the Trump administration’s agenda.  Some political observers said the US move essentially slammed the door on any negotiations with Iran.  Zarif is the top diplomat in Iran who has steadfastly maintained  the  US is duty bound to continue to abide by the Nuclear Agreement .  The foreign minister also maintains that  no one ever found Iran out of compliance with Agreement. The U.S. hawkish position regarding Iran is being led by National Security Adviser John Bolton.  Appearing on FOX Business’   “Lou Dobbs Tonight Opens a New Window” show, Bolton told Dobbs the Trump administration considers Zarif “an illegitimate spokesman for Iran.”  However, some political observers view the sanctions as part of  Trump’s raw determination to unravel the Obama legacy. 

   Growing Confrontation Between the United States and Iran

DIPLOMATIC TIMES Video / Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at UN world headquarters in New York July 18, 2019. 

Last month, President Trump said  a U.S. Navy ship “destroyed” an Iranian drone.   NBC News reported that Trump said U.S. Marines jammed  an Iranian drone in the Gulf, destroying it.  Iran Foreign Minister Zarif said he had “No Information About Having Lost a Drone” during his visit to the United Nations world headquarters July 18.  The US has also blamed Iran for attacks on several oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.  Iran denied responsibility.

EUROPE  “Concerned ” over US Sanctions- Vows To  Continue Working With Iran Minister Zarif

“Like its E3 partners, the United Kingdom and Germany, France notes with concern the U.S. decision to impose sanctions on the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif,  a decision we do not support. We believe that all diplomatic channels must remain open, especially in the current state of heightened tensions. Our foreign minister and those of our E3 partners are in regular contact with Foreign Minister Zarif to de-escalate tensions and bring Iran back into full compliance with its obligations under the Vienna agreement.”

-Statement by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson     Paris –  August 1, 2019