US sanctions against Turkey contempt for int'l law: Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has said the U.S. move to sanction Turkey is "a display of its addiction to sanctions and contempt for international law."

Tuesday December 15 2020 01:19 pm

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif.

Duvar English

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Dec. 15 condemned U.S. sanctions against Turkey over Ankara's acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems as "contempt for international law."

"U.S. addiction to sanctions and contempt for international law at full display again. We strongly condemn recent U.S. sanctions against Turkey and stand with its people and government," Zarif tweeted.

Zarif also used the hashtag "#NeighborsFirst."

U.S. addiction to sanctions and contempt for international law at full display again.

We strongly condemn recent U.S. sanctions against Turkey and stand with its people and government.#NeighborsFirst
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) December 15, 2020

Tehran’s criticism came after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.

The sanctions, coming under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), target Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), including its head İsmail Demir and three other officials.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that the SSB knowingly engaged in a significant transaction with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s main arms export entity, by procuring the S-400s.

“The sanctions include a ban on all U.S. export licenses and authorizations to SSB and an asset freeze and visa restrictions on Dr. İsmail Demir, SSB’s president, and other SSB officers,” he added.