Iran Claims US Sanctions Over Missile Program Violate JCPOA

Iran accused the United States on Thursday of violating a United Nations resolution after Washington sanctioned actors for helping Tehran’s missile program.

UN Security Council Resolution 2231 enshrined the 2015 nuclear deal that Iran and world powers have sought to revive through negotiations in Vienna for the past 12 months.

The US continues to violate a Security Council resolution that enshrined the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), despite its claims of wanting to revive the pact, foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.

On Wednesday, the United States applied sanctions on a procurement agentin Iran and his companies for their role in supporting Tehran's ballistic missile program. The JCPOA removed nuclear-related sanctions and left others in place.

The move came after a destructive missile and drone attack by Iran-backed Houthi forces on Saudi oil installations last week. The US accuses Iran of supplying drones, missiles and other weapons to Houthis.

"This move is another sign of the US government's malice towards the Iranian people, as it continues the failed policy of maximum pressure against Iran," the spokesperson added.

The talks were close to agreement in early March until Russia made last-minute demands of the United States.

The White House said on Wednesday that the new sanctions would not derail nuclear talks but will remain in place regardless of whether an agreement is reached.