In an interview with the Fars News Agency, Bahram Qassemi referred to the presence of delegations from 95 countries as well as 9 international organizations in Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s inauguration ceremony, and described it as a sign of the world’s positive interaction with Iran in the current situation in the region and across the globe.
He touched upon the US Congress’s recent legislation on the imposition of new sanctions signed by US President Donald Trump, and highlighted Washington’s non-compliance with its commitments under the nuclear deal signed by Iran and six world powers, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
“Although the US has been imposing sanctions on Iran since the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and has not stopped doing so and is slapping sanctions [on Iran] unilaterally, at the moment the continuation of such policies will be a nonstarter in the world,” said Qassemi.
Policy of Sanctions: A Failed, Futile Approach
Qassemi noted that the policy of sanctions is a failed and useless tactic in today’s world.
He said today’s evolving world, which is faced with numerous challenges, needs efforts to ensure realism and convergence as well as a campaign against the new challenges facing the human community.
“To that end, Iran has always made every effort, and will continue to make more efforts in the new administration,” the spokesman underlined.
Interaction, Dialogue Only Way to Tackle Current Situation
Qassemi said the only way to get out of the current complex and dangerous situation in the world is to have interaction, hold dialogue and try to fight unharnessed terrorism and extremism targeting the human community and lofty human values.
More Consultations, Convergence at Home
He also referred to the presence of representatives from all schools of thought and political currents in President Rouhani’s swearing-in ceremony.
“The situation inside the country is such that engagement and cooperation at domestic and international levels are increasing. This trend can result in more consultations and convergence inside the country. On the domestic front, the glorious endorsement and oath-taking ceremonies [of Rouhani] can put an end to political electoral rivalries and the beginning of greater rapport while taking different tastes and viewpoints into consideration.”
“Iran is a democratic country which relies on the votes of its own people. The presence, in Tehran, of so many representatives from world nations can be regarded as global respect for well-informed Iranian people and Iran’s democratic system. Their presence is a seal of approval to Iran’s stabilizing policies in the region as well as its utmost efforts to fight terrorism and keep it from spilling over to other parts of the world.
World Community’s Big “No” to Malevolent Few
The top diplomat went on to say that despite efforts by malevolent individuals to isolate Iran and promote Iranophobia over the past few years and paying a heavy price to achieve their end, such attempt have been met with the international community’s big “no” to these loudmouthed malevolent few as the accusations levelled against Iran are false and the majority of the international community have a realistic view of Iran’s current status in the region and in the world.
“Of course, such a [huge] presence is natural given Iran’s wise behaviour in the foreign policy arena, and we can witness more cooperation and understanding with the international community.”
Iran’s Message: Peace, Friendship, Welfare for All
He said Iran’s message is one of peace, friendship, development and welfare for all world nations. The spokesman said Iran will give an appropriate and friendly response to all those who favour goodwill and friendship with Iran.
Qassemi said Iran believes a calm, stable and developed region will not only serve its own interests, but will be in the interest of other countries as well.
He said Iran arranges its regional relations based on the principles of good neighbourliness, friendship, mutual respect and non-interference in one another’s internal affairs.
Qassemi noted Iran believes all regional countries need to experience a new path when it comes to cooperation and fair dialogue in order to stave off violence, war, hate-mongering and unwarranted killing of humans in Islamic countries.
During the meeting, Khosrowtaj referred to the ‘long-standing and brilliant’ history of trade ties between Tehran and Yerevan, and called for the expansion of mutual cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
Iran’s foreign minister, for his part, underscored closer mutual cooperation between Tehran and Vienna, especially in the banking sector.
