Iran dismisses U.S. threat to trigger return of U.N. sanctions

Iran’s Foreign Minister on Thursday dismissed as “foolish claims” U.S. threats to trigger a return of all United Nations sanctions if the U.N. Security Council does not extend an arms embargo on Tehran, state media reported.

The U.S. special envoy for Iran, Brian Hook, on Wednesday publicly confirmed the strategy two weeks after an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Washington had notified Britain, France and Germany of its plan.

“Foolish claims by US officials is nothing new,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif told reporters.

“It is no surprise to hear such things from people who recommend drinking disinfectants to ward off the coronavirus – to contend they are still a party to the agreement after officially leaving it,” said Zarif.