Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on regional powers to engage in peaceful talks, following reports Trump is planning to slap a series of new sanctions on Iran in the coming weeks, in coordination with Israel and several Gulf states. Foreign Minister Zarif tweeted, “A sincere message to our neighbors: Trump’s gone in 70 days. But we’ll remain here forever. Betting on outsiders to provide security is never a good gamble. We extend our hand to our neighbors for dialog to resolve differences. Only together can we build a better future for all.”
Axios, which reported the possible sanctions, said the Trump administration hopes the move will make it harder for Joe Biden’s administration to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, from which Trump unilaterally withdrew.