Iran snubs U.S. sanctions extension

(UPI) -- The extension of unilateral sanctions by the United States on Iran is a ploy to preserve U.S. authority, Iran's foreign minister says.

U.S. efforts to extend unilateral sanctions against Iran is a ploy to wage psychological warfare against the Islamic Republic with the intention of protecting its power and authority, Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said in a radio interview, Iran's state news agency Press TV reported Wednesday.

"These sanctions are unilateral and the United States has been repeating the decision for 32 consecutive years and this is not new," Salehi added.

Salehi's comments came in response to President Barack Obama's March 8 contention Iran was a particular risk and his subsequent ordering of a one-year extension of sanctions.

"Because the actions and policies of the government of Iran continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, the national emergency declared on March 15, 1995, must continue in effect beyond March 15, 2011," President Obama said in a notice, Press TV reported.

Among others, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1929 adopted June 9, 2010, bans all nations from contributing to Iran's activities concerning ballistic missiles and any countries having trade exchanges or making investments in the country if they contribute to any nuclear-sensitive activity training, financing or assistance related to arms and materiel.