Sanctions Make Iran Stronger: Pakistani Journalist

Islamabad, Jan 3, IRNA – A senior Pakistani journalist here Monday said that sanctions have boosted Iran’s progress and made the Islamic Republic a stronger regional power. Talking to IRNA, Ansar Abbasi said that it is the fundamental right of Iran to enhance their capacity in defense sector, especially in this hostile environment. “Keeping in view the attitude of US and Israel, Iran must ensure its safety,” said the journalist. He added that that it is very encouraging to see that Iran is progressing in defense sector. To a question the analyst said that Iran is an important country and can play a vital role for the stability of the region. However, he said that peace cannot be restored in the region till the foreign forces are present in Afghanistan. He said that all neighboring countries of Afghanistan should play a constructive role for bringing stability in the region. Ansar Abbasi said that close cooperation with Iran, especially in trade sector, is in the interest of all of its neighboring states. He added that Iran has been stressing for close cooperation with many countries and Pakistan should take benefit from the Iranian call. He viewed that Muslim countries must not allow the US and the western states to design their foreign policies. “Cooperation with the west has to be based on equal basis,” said the journalist. The analyst said that sanctions have failed to deter Iran’s progress. Ansar Abbasi noted that Iran has achieved the status of a respectable nation after the sanctions. He said now Iran is progressing in every field which is a great achievement. Ansar Abbasi suggested Pakistan government to follow the footsteps of the Iranian nation against the American pressure. The US, Israel, and their allies accuse Iran of pursuing a military nuclear program and have used this allegation as a pretext to convince the UN Security Council to impose four rounds of sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Iran has refuted the allegations, arguing that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Ansar Abbasi is an investigative editor for one of the leading newspaper from Pakistan, The News International./end