Iran vows to continue oil exports despite Trump’s threats

Tehran says it will stand firm against Washington as US president issues warning against countries trading with Tehran.

Iranian President  Hassan Rouhani has vowed that Iran will stand firm against threats by the United States over oil shipments after Washington reimposed economic sanctions on the Islamic republic. Speaking to state broadcaster IRINN Rouhani said, “If the Americans want to keep this simplistic and impossible idea in their minds, they should also know its consequences. They can’t think that Iran won’t export oil and others will export.”

Rouhani did not specify what consequences the US could face, but in the past, Iranian officials have threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route in the Middle East, in retaliation for any US actions. The US has dismissed the threat as a bluff.

During his meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho in Tehran Rouhani warned him that the US was “an unreliable and untrustworthy” negotiating partner that did not honour “any of its commitments”. Ri was also quoted as describing the sanctions against Iran as “inappropriate and contrary to international standards”.

North Korea is under US and UN sanctions over its nuclear weapons programme.

Countries like Russia, China and Turkey, however, have said that they would not abide by the US sanctions, and would continue to trade with Iran.

China’s foreign ministry also has said it opposed the US’ “unilateral sanctions” and “long-armed jurisdiction”, adding that its business ties with Iran were “open, transparent and lawful”.