Iranian People Know US Pressure Hasn’t Materialized: Shamkhani

Tue Aug 20, 2019 02:32AM
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Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani (Photo via IRNA)

The Iranian nation is aware that the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” against Iran “has not materialized,” says  Iran's Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani.

"Just walk the streets of Tehran and see how energetic our people are and you will realize that [what the US has] been trying to achieve has not materialized," he said in an interview with ABC News in Tehran on Monday.

He further cast doubt on the idea that US President Donald Trump actually seeks negotiations with Tehran.

Iran’s security chief says the country is to begin “the second phase” of suspending its nuclear commitments on July 7, when a deadline for the other signatories to fulfill their side of the accord expires.

"The sanctions campaign is not for negotiation, it's for making us surrender," he added. "As long as this approach is taken by the United States, Iran will never ever seek negotiations."

The top Iranian official also questioned US future commitments to an agreement, as evident in Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

"We had a case of successful negotiations with the JCPOA. How come the United States departed from it?"

Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif says Tehran is unwilling to engage in a fresh round of nuclear talks with the US.

Shamkhani further slammed Washington’s policies in favor of Israel and against Palestinians, as was seen in the US recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli capital, a provocative move that has raised tensions in the region.

"I believe that the one that is seeking the destruction of Israel is the country that does not see the realities on the ground," he said. "They declare al Quds, or Jerusalem, as the capital of Israel. They pursue the 'Deal of the Century' project."