TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said Wednesday his country will respond if a bill in the U.S. Congress imposing sanctions on people involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program becomes law.
The House of Representatives passed the bill on Tuesday and it now goes to the Senate.
Without giving details, Rouhani said in a Wednesday cabinet meeting broadcast by state TV that Iran will “take any action that is necessary for the country’s expedience and interests” and show “reciprocal” reaction to the law.
The U.S. legislation would impose mandatory penalties on people involved in Iran’s ballistic missile program and anyone who does business with them. The measure would also apply terrorism sanctions to Iran’s prestigious Revolutionary Guard and enforce an arms embargo. Democrats said the new sanctions would not conflict with the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
However, deputy foreign minister and senior Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday the bill could “affect successful implementation” of the agreement and reduce Iran’s benefits from it.