Iran's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi announced that the sanctions are denying Iran "access to medical products, technology, and cooperation with international financial institutions," asking for lifting the "oppressive" sanctions on Iran as soon as possible.

During the UN General Assembly's high-level meeting on AIDS, Thursday, Takht Ravanchi highlighted the achievements of Iran in the field of health, patient safety, AIDS, and HIV patients, including the prevention of the disease's transfer from mother to child and reducing the damage thereof.

He clarified that his country, despite remarkable progress in this field, still suffers "from the oppressive unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States, which go against the goals and principles of the UN Charter, international laws, and the essential norms that govern international relations."

Takht Ravanchi proceeded that "the illegal sanctions lead to the decline of public and private resources available for the prevention and treatment of AIDS/HIV, leaving a negative impact on health organizations," pointing out that the sanctions "prevent access to medical equipment, technology, and cooperation with international financial institutions."

He continued to explain that under the circumstances of the outbreak of COVID-19, "the negative impact of such measures on the public health sector in Iran has compounded, especially on women, children, adolescents, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities," warning that endangering the health and safety of the general public for political reasons is not only criminal but also constitutes a "war crime and crime against humanity" that holds international accountability.

Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN stressed that "our moral responsibility obliges us to oppose the economic sanctions and demand that they be lifted as soon as possible."