This week, Washington announced that it would not extend sanctions waivers to major importers of Iranian oil beyond the current May 2 deadline, prompting Iranian lawmakers to threaten a wide range of measures to “counter” US coercion, including the possible closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway.
Iran prefers negotiation and diplomacy but will not cave to US pressure, President Hassan Rouhani has said. “Accepting such negotiations would mean humiliation and capitulation,” he said, speaking at a session of cabinet in Tehran on Wednesday, according to PressTV.
“We have always been a [country] of negotiation and diplomacy, the same way that we’ve been a [country] of war and defence. Negotiation is only possible if all the pressures are lifted, they apologise for their illegal actions and there is mutual respect,” Rouhani said.
According to Rouhani, the US’ current Iran policy is “aimed at defeating the Iranian nation” and returning it to the subservient status it faced before the 1979 Revolution.
Commenting on the US’ recent announcement about the end of sanctions waivers, the president stressed that it was “not possible” for the US to monopolise the global oil market, and promised that Iran would continue to sell its oil abroad “using various means.”