Barack Obama
In a letter to the US Congress on Wednesday, President Obama informed lawmakers about his decision to keep the National Emergency on Iran, which will expire on 15 March, in effect for another year.
'The actions and policies of the government of Iran are contrary to the interests of the United States in the region and pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,' Xinhua quoted the US president as saying in his letter.
He added that issues between Washington and Tehran, which led to the declaration of a national emergency on 15 March 1995, had 'not been resolved', stressing, 'It is necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to Iran and maintain in force comprehensive sanctions against Iran.'
The report comes despite Obama's claims that his administration is moving towards a policy change on Iran.
The US has also embarked on a campaign to slap fresh embargos against Iran over its nuclear enrichment program.
Russia and China, two veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council, have voiced their reluctance to back new sanctions against Iran and continue to call for a diplomatic solution to the country's nuclear issue.
Tehran has repeatedly declared that it will not relinquish the legitimate nuclear rights of the Iranian nation under Western pressure.
Press TV
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