Iran's president: U.S. choose wrong path on sanctions, will be defeated

FILE PHOTO: Iran's President Hassan Rouhani speaks at a news conference on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 26, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid /File Photo

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States has chosen the wrong course in reimposing sanctions on Iran and will be defeated, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday, according to the Tasnim information agency.

Washington reinstated sanctions targeting Iran’s oil enterprise on Nov. 5 as it seeks to pressure the Islamic Republic to take delivery of more challenging curbs on its nuclear program, halt its improvement of ballistic missiles as well as its assist for proxy forces in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.

“The Americans will without a doubt be defeated in this path. The direction they have chosen is wrong and incorrect,” Rouhani said. “If they are being sincere and they are searching for regional security, this is not the path. If they are being honest and admire the Iranian people, this is no longer the path.”

He added, “They have made themselves more notorious in the world and in the front of our people. It’s clear for all of us that the incorrect and cruel sanctions of America will damage the pricey and honorable humans of our country.”

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton stated Tuesday that Washington intends to step up enforcement of sanctions on Iran and “squeeze them very hard.”

President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions after withdrew the United States from world powers’ 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, reached earlier than he took office. The different signatories - Germany, France, Britain, Russia, and China remain committed to the deal. Iran has stated it will continue to be in it solely if the other powers maintain its economic advantages against U.S. pressure.