Iranian foreign minister: US should know ‘consequences’ of its plan to reduce Tehran’s oil exports

Iran’s foreign minister vowed on Wednesday to fight back against U.S. sanctions, remarks that come just days after the Trump administration introduced new measures it says are aimed at forcing policy changes in the country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tehran would continue to export oil and other goods in the face of sanctions that the U.S. has imposed in an effort to cripple the country’s missile and nuclear enrichment programs, as well as the country’s ability to wage war in Syria and parts of Iraq, Reuters reported, citing an Iranian newspaper.

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“If the Americans want to keep this simplistic and impossible idea in their minds they should also know its consequences,” Zarif said in an interview with the newspaper. “They can’t think that Iran won’t export oil and others will export.”

Zarif went on to warn against Iran and the U.S. being drawn into an escalated trade conflict.

“The Americans have assembled a war room against Iran,” he said. “We can’t get drawn into a confrontation with America by falling into this war room trap and playing on a battlefield.”

Trump in May announced the United States would pull out of the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran and several other countries, including U.S. allies in Europe. That announcement came after months of publicly trashing the deal, which he has characterized as one-sided in favor of Iran.

European leaders have spent the subsequent months attempting to salvage the deal. The Trump administration on Monday reimposed sanctions, with further measures set to take effect in November.

On Tuesday, Trump warned foreign leaders against pursuing trade agreements with Iran.

“The Iran sanctions have officially been cast,” he tweeted. “These are the most biting sanctions ever imposed, and in November they ratchet up to yet another level. Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States. I am asking for WORLD PEACE, nothing less!”