Amir-Abdollahian from Havana: US policy of sanctions doomed to fail
The Iranian Foreign Minister voices Iran's "categorical support" for Cuba and condemns the unilateral sanctions imposed on Havana.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday met with Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana, where the two discussed matters of mutual interest at bilateral and international levels.
Heading a high-ranking delegation, the top Iranian diplomat arrived in Cuba as part of a tour that earlier took him to Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Mauritania.
Amir-Abdollahian pointed to the historic and friendly relations between Tehran and Havana, reiterating his country's determination to further strengthen and develop cooperation with Cuba.
The Iranian Minister voiced Iran's "categorical support" for Cuba and condemned the unilateral sanctions imposed on Havana, as well as foreign intervention in the island's internal affairs.
On his part, Diaz-Canel underlined that "despite all the existing pressures, Cuba is determined to cooperate with friendly countries and work [with them] towards the elimination of obstacles and challenges that lie ahead."
The Cuban President considered that "the US government only thinks about its interests and does not care about others."
"We have earned our political independence at a high price and will preserve it," he stressed, noting that the ongoing developments in Latin America and elsewhere in the world are creating new opportunities for bolstering multilateralism.
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US policy of sanctions doomed to fail: Amir-Abdollahian
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Sunday slammed the United States policy of imposing sanctions against countries, including Iran and several South American countries, affirming that such policy is doomed to fail.
"The United States' policy of [imposing] unilateral sanctions [on other countries] and bullying is doomed to fail," Amir-Abdollahian said in a meeting with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, in Havana, where the two top diplomats discussed the latest developments in bilateral relations between Iran and Cuba.
The Iranian Minister condemned the US interventions in Cuba's internal affairs and its attempt to fuel unrest on the island last year.
"The US and some [other] Western countries pursue the hybrid policy of [imposing] sanctions and intervention [in other countries' affairs] through stoking and encouraging riots in independent countries of the world," he said.
The top Iranian diplomat underlined that political relations between Iran and Cuba are at the highest level, pointing out that both countries share matching views and pursue similar goals in their effort to remain independent and oppose unilateralism.
On his part, Rodriguez Parrilla stressed that Havana has always prioritized boosting relations with Tehran.
The Cuban Minister condemned unilateral sanctions and intervention in other countries' affairs, extending his gratitude to Iran for supporting Cuba.
Elsewhere, he affirmed that Cuba will continue to support the rights of all countries to have a peaceful nuclear energy program.
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