Iran accuses USA of harassment over missile program sanctions

The journalist’s release occurred just hours after a controversial nuclear deal between the United States and Iran went into effect.

“Everybody is happy except the Zionists, the warmongers who are fuelling sectarian war among the Islamic nation, and the hardliners in the United States congress”, he said. The West had long suspected Iran’s nuclear program has military dimension.

Iran accused the US of “acts of propaganda and harassment” on Monday after Washington imposed new sanctions against a number of individuals and entities involved in Tehran’s ballistic missile program. “And we have been tireless.” said Obama during his speech.

Three Americans released from Iranian custody as part of a U.S.-Iran prisoner swap arrived Sunday in Europe.

Yukiya Amano, for his part, believed that JCPOA was a great event and congratulated Iran on this ‘great feat of achievement;’ “the IAEA and myself are committed to have an unbiased, unpolitical, and legal approach to the JCPOA implementation, and welcome improving ties with Tehran to build confidence more than ever”, he added. They were Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter who was captured in July 2014 and convicted of espionage previous year; Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine captured in 2011 and sentenced to death for espionage in 201; Saeed Abedini, a Christian pastor held by Iran since 2012; and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari, whom the administration only identified as a hostage this weekend.

The president used his Sunday morning statement from the White House to speak directly to the Iranian people, saying: “We have a rare chance to pursue a new path – a different, better future that delivers progress for both our peoples and the wider world”. “The United States also removed any Interpol red notices and dismissed any charges against 14 Iranians for whom it was assessed that extradition requests were unlikely to be successful”.

There is still more Iranian money locked up in US accounts. A fifth American, Matthew Trevithick, was also freed from an Iranian prison, according to reports. But Obama also noted that “profound differences” with Tehran remained over its “destabilising activities”.

US-Iranian suspicion still remains deeply entrenched.

“They’re civilians and their release is a one-time gesture to Iran given the unique opportunity offered by this moment and the larger circumstances at play”, he said.