Enemy Losing Hope in Iran Capitulation

-Official

TEHRAN -- Iran’s top security official on Wednesday rejected the notion of any possible negotiation with the U.S., saying any talks with someone who always reneges on his promises would be absurd and a sign of frustration.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani hailed valuable achievements of Iran’s resistance as he highlighted the ineffectiveness of U.S. sanctions and its calls for "unconditional” talks with the Islamic Republic.

"Today, the enemy is well aware of its inability and failure to enforce its pressure-negotiation policy and the fact that there is no other way than to fully fulfill its obligations and to ensure the rights of the Iranian nation,” he said.

"Today, with the resistance of the Iranian people, our enemies have come to the conclusion that one cannot force the Iranian nation to accept humiliation,” Shamkhani added. 

The remarks came against the backdrop of increased tensions between Iran and the U.S, following Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and its decision to impose most restrictive sanctions on the Islamic Republic. 

On Tuesday, the Trump administration warned the civil aviation industry against dealing with Iranian airlines, saying any company found to have business with them would put itself in the crosshairs of sanctions.

A formal advisory from the U.S. Treasury Department’s pro-Israeli Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) claimed that Iran’s commercial airliners were a key component of support for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).  

The advisory said entities providing services for designated Iranian airlines, including financing, reservations and ticketing as well as procurement of aircraft parts, would be at risk of enforcement actions or economic sanctions.

"The international civil aviation industry, including service providers like general sales agents, brokers, and title companies, need to be on high alert to ensure they are not complicit in Iran’s malign activities,” the treasury’s Sigal Mandelker said.

The advisory singled out Iran’s Mahan Air, blacklisted by the U.S. in 2011, alleging that the airline has a role in providing financial, material and technological support to the IRGC’s Qods Force.

Since 2018, the United States has imposed economic sanctions on 11 entities and individuals for dealing with Mahan Air. The United States also designated Qeshm Fars Air, a commercial cargo airline controlled by Mahan Air, in early 2019.

Sanctions are the key tool the United States uses against Iran as part of its "maximum pressure” policy and Mandelker is the one with her hand on the lever.

The United States has been going after Iran’s cash flow and frozen assets for decades ever since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and Mandelker has become the stewardess of the campaign.

U.S. leaders have said Washington’s tough sanctions against the Islamic Republic are aimed at giving the Iranian people a chance to have better lives.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in January that Iranian officials must listen to Washington "if they want their people to eat".

On Monday, Trump tweeted, "Their Economy is dead, and will get much worse. Iran is a total mess!”