‘Nothing in prospect’ to change US hostility towards Iran

The nuclear agreement between Iran and the world powers has failed to end the United States' “long-standing hostility” towards Iran, an activist says.

In an interview Wednesday, Chicago-based author and radio host, Stephen Lendman, was commenting on remarks by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in regard to Washington’s “deception” to obstruct international trade with Iran.

Under the last year’s deal, all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the Security Council and the US were lifted and, in return, Iran put some limitations on its nuclear activities.

Iranian officials have hit out at the US and the EU for failing to honor the Join Comprehensive Plan of Action by keeping Iran locked out of the international financial system.

“On paper, the Americans say banks can trade with Iran but in practice they act in such an Iranophobic way that no trade can take place with Iran,” the Leader told a group of Iranian workers in Tehran earlier in the day.

According to Lendman, the anti-Iran sentiment will not disappear easily and could even be boosted no matter who wins the presidency after President Barack Obama, a supporter of diplomatic solutions to Iran’s nuclear issue.

“America’s hostility toward Iran is long-standing and the nuclear deal changed nothing (in this regard),” he said, arguing, that the Iranophobia is mostly promoted by the “lead instigator” in America, AIPAC.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee represents the Israeli opposition to Iran in the US but, Lendman said, the opposition also exists in the US itself.

“Israel wants to eliminate a regional rival and America wants to eliminate all sovereign states, replacing them by pro-Western puppet regimes and that’s the issue with America.”

US and European businesses’ reluctance to do business with Iran over the fear of being penalized by Washington, comes in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election.

Lendman suggested that any of the front runner’s presidency could make the situation worse for Tehran.

On the Republican side, business mogul Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz have both spoken within the framework of the GOP’s anti-Iran stance.

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has at times reiterated her right-leaning anti-Iran stance.

Under the new administration, “Anything is possible. The nuclear deal could be rescinded and the sanctions... could be put back on again and new sanctions be imposed.”

The Republican-controlled Congress has particularly spared no effort to sabotage the diplomacy the Obama administration has pursued in dealing with Tehran.

With a Republican commander-in-chief at the White House, this could escalate.

“This shows that America’s word is never its bond. The treaties and agreement it reaches it breaches at its discretion.”

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir