Iran on Saturday claimed that America’s divergence of opinions regarding the Iranian nuclear deal is damaging American foreign policy, in an attack on US warnings of military action should nuclear diplomacy ultimately fail.
The comments in Tehran came after US President Barack Obama said in a letter that all options remain on the table against Iran.
Congress is currently conducting a 60-day review period of the nuclear deal struck last month, with a majority opposing the deal that among other things has Iran inspect its own covert Parchin nuclear site.
“Political partisanship and competition have taken US foreign policy hostage,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said, calling Obama’s remarks “repetitive and baseless.”
These claims are “showing the uncertainty and depth of confusion of American officials in determining their national interests,” Afkham said, according to the official IRNA news agency.
The US president claimed in a letter to Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat who has announced his support for the deal, that the agreement is good for America, Israel and the Middle East in general.
“We have a wide array of unilateral and multilateral responses that we can employ if Iran fails to meets its commitments,” Obama said.
“All of the options available to the United States – including the military option – will remain available through the life of the deal and beyond,” he stated.
However, those promises have been put in doubt as Congress seeks answers regarding letters, in which Obama apparently promised world powers that he would not penalize their companies for breaching “snap back” sanctions should Iran break the deal.
Obama has vowed to use his presidential veto after the Congressional review period, meaning a 2/3 majority will be needed to defeat his ardent support of the agreement.
AFP contributed to this report.