Alalam - Iran
The head of Iran Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, said the US sanctions legislation "does exist but its effect has been currently neutralized by the US president".
"But If it becomes operational again, it's a clear violation of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)," he told Iran state television.
Iran foreign ministry also reacts to US Congress vote for renewal of Iran Sanction Acts (ISA). "As repeatedly stated by high-ranking Iranian officials, the recent bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate to renew sanctions against Iran is against the nuclear deal," Iran foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said.
"The legislation does not directly address the nuclear pact. But some say the restrictions in the bill go against the spirit of the agreement, under which Tehran curbed its nuclear programe in exchange for sanctions relief from the United States and other nations."
"Iran has proved that it sticks to its international agreements but it also has appropriate responses for all situations."
US President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure, a White House official said, adding that the administration does not believe the extension violates the nuclear deal.
The bill includes penalties against Iran's banking sector, as well as its energy and defense industries. AFP reports
Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said last month that he considered the sanctions bill a breach of the nuclear deal and warned Iran would "react against it".
US President-elect Donald Trump heavily criticized the pact as he campaigned for the White House over the past year. Several fellow Republicans have called for its termination.
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