Hassan Rohani: Westˈs Unilateral Sanctions Against Iran Unjust, Unjustifiable

Tehran, Jan 21, IRNA - Director of the Iranian Expediency Councilˈs Center for Strategic Studies Hassan Rohani said on Sunday that the unilateral sanctions imposed by the West against Iran are unjust, and unjustifiable. Rohani made the remarks in a meeting with Norwegian Ambassador in Tehran, Jens-Petter Kjemprud. Westˈs unilateral sanctions have left grave impacts on peopleˈs life in the fields of medical treatment and medicines, he said. Given the religious decree (fatwa) issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution banning production and proliferation of nuclear weapons, he said there is no justification for issuing resolutions or imposing economic sanctions on Iran. The European states that are under pressure of the US and Zionists are dependent in terms of making decision on current developments in Iran and the entire region, he said, adding that the Europeans have a wrong understanding of Iranˈs domestic issues and developments. Wrong concept and lack of understanding of Islam, Islamic Revolution, and independency of the Iranian nation are the root cause of incorrect stands adopted by the western countries on Iran, he said. These wrong understandings and concepts will be harmful to both sides, he said. The issue of terrorism and extremism is a global threat, he said, adding that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to help other countries in fighting terrorism and extremism. The support of some regional countries and the West for terrorist groups in Syria is a dangerous issue which threatens the security of the entire region, he said. On Syria crisis, he said talks between the two sides will be the only option which can help restore stability and security to the war-torn country. Highlighting Iranˈs constructive role in Afghanistan and Iraq, he said some European states backed terrorist groups and fanned the flames of war which left irreparable losses to the Syrian people as well as the entire region. The Norwegian ambassador, for his part, referred to the international pressures exerted against Iran and called for expansion of political and technological cooperation between Iran and Norway. He lauded Iranˈs initiatives to lessen the impacts of crisis in Syria and said Norway calls for cessation of hostility and restoration of stability to the region. Referring to the key role being played by Iran in Afghanistan and Iraq, he expressed the hope that the quadrilateral meetings among Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt as well as Iranˈs six point plan on the Syrian crisis would lead to establishment of peace and stability in Syria./end