Moscow, Tehran denounce latest US sanctions
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday that Moscow has given up hope of improving ties with the Trump administration following the imposition of new US sanctions on his country, claiming the White House has essentially declared a trade war and "demonstrated total impotence by surrendering its executive authority to Congress". He said the sanctions "will remain in effect for decades unless a miracle happens". Medvedev made the comments in a post on his Facebook page.
Meanwhile, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was quoted as saying that the latest US sanctions are a violation of the nuclear deal that Tehran signed with the West. According to Iran's ISNA news agency, Araqchi said in an interview with state-run TV that Iran will respond in "an appropriate and proportional" manner.
The bill signed into law by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposes sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea.