USA: Sanctioning Central Bank shows Washington’s desperation – Iranian FM Zarif

*SINGLE SHOT AT SOURCE*
SOT, Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister (Farsi): "Sanctioning Iran central bank more than anything shows US's desperation as Americans have imposed all types of sanctions they could have imposed on Iran. Now what they are doing is imposing sanctions on the central bank, which was sanctioned before, under a different pretext. But this action of them shows their effort to prevent Iran from international purchases, prevent foods and medications from reaching Iranian people. Their action is certainly a hazardous and unacceptable action and it is also a violation of all international laws. Not only the violation of the JCPOA but also all the well-known international principles and immunity of the central banks. But Americans have not been committed enough to international laws and they have defined international laws based on their interests. This action of them is really dangerous and shows a lack of US' commitment towards international obligations and on the other side, what is important is that the (US) policy of maximum pressure is nearing its end. When they sanction an institute under different pretexts, it demonstrates that what they thought about bringing Iranian people to their knees in a few months through the maximum pressure policy has failed. Moreover, the sooner they confess to this reality and respectfully finish this policy and repent, as our Supreme Leader mentioned, and return to the table of negotiations, instead of sanctioning our central bank two or three times, the sooner they will achieve better results."
SCRIPT
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that sanctions imposed by the US on the Central Bank of Iran show Washington's desperation in dealing with the Islamic Republic, while speaking to the press in New York City on Friday.
"Sanctioning Iran central bank more than anything shows US's desperation as Americans have imposed all types of sanctions they could have imposed on Iran," said Zarif who is in the US for the United Nations General Assembly.
The fresh sanctions were announced by the US President Donald Trump who said the sanctions were the highest ever imposed by the US on a foreign country and were a response to Iran's alleged involvement in the recent drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. The measures would also be targeting Iran's National Development Fund.
Iran's top diplomat warned that the move was "unacceptable" and "dangerous" and proved the US' lack of commitment to its international obligations.