US' Anti-Iranian Vote 'Political Hypocrisy Which Bears No Practical Importance'

Commenting on the recent US Senate vote in favor of extending what the US considers non-nuclear-related sanctions on Iran for 10 more years, Iranian political analyst Hossein Ruyvaran told RIA Novosti that the US' unilateral step is not actually important in itself, however it demonstrates the lack of will to implement the nuclear deal with Tehran.

On Thursday, US senators unanimously voted for the extension of what the US considers non-nuclear-related sanctions on Iran for 10 more years.

The bill, which will expire on December 31 if not signed, was sent to President Obama.

On Sunday, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani warned his American counterpart against signing the document because it would be a violation of the Iran nuclear deal.

Commenting on the US vote, Iranian political analyst Hossein Ruyvaran, who teaches at the University of Tehran, told RIA Novosti that the US' unilateral steps actually do not change the situation. They bear no practical meaning.

"The decision of the US Congress does not make any principal difference: there are no bilateral agreements between the US and Iran, there is no political and economic relationship between the two countries, no ambassadors in each other's countries," he explained.

"These steps bear no practical meaning however they are still landmark decisions which have more of a symbolic meaning and might be interpreted as a lack of will to go on with the agreed upon nuclear deal with Iran. Thus they might have negative consequences," he added.

The nuclear deal (known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is not a bilateral deal between Iran and the US, he said. It is an international agreement reached between Tehran and P5+1 (five permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) plus Germany) and the European Union, endorsed by the UNSC resolution 2231, which outlines monitoring mechanism and timetable for implementation, while paving the way for the lifting of United Nations sanctions against that country.

The expert noted that Tehran has a right to demand the US to rectify the violation it is going to commit by extending anti-Iranian sanctions.

"The top priority is to prove the fact of violation on the part of the US and then settle it with the mechanisms outlined in the resolution," the expert said.

However he further assured that Tehran won't undertake any ill-advised decisions and will be acting wisely.

"If there is any serious breach of agreements with Iran, there could be further developments. However the return to the nuclear program in its former form is the last thing Tehran will resort to," he said.

He called the US' vote "political hypocrisy" and assured that Tehran will hold consultations with Moscow.

"Iran and Russia have a special relationship. The two countries are coordinating their actions in Syria and in the Middle East. Iran will hold consultations with Moscow and won't ignore Russia's opinion," he said.

However he acknowledged that much will depend on the US president-elect and the policies he is going to pursue.

"The decision approved by Congress might be well implemented or, otherwise, ignored by the US government," he said.

The political analyst reminded that, on the one hand, Trump has criticized the deal with Iran in his election campaign, On the other hand, he voiced his desire to cooperate with those who really fight against terrorism: Russia, Iran and Syrian President Assad.

"It remains to be seen whether Trump wants to be Iran's friend or foe," he therefore stated.