Cuba condemns sanctions on Iran, Israeli interception of Madleen
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Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez denounced the new US sanctions on Iran, describing them as illegal, and condemned the Israeli occupation's interception of the Freedom Flotilla ship.
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Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodrihuez speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Havana, Cuba, on November 17, 2021. (AP)
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the new sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran, describing them as "arbitrary and illegal measures" that undermine international law and obstruct negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
On Saturday, the US Treasury Department included 10 individuals and 27 institutions linked to Iran on its new sanctions list.
It is noteworthy that nine of the individuals subject to sanctions are Iranian nationals, while another is Chinese. The sanctioned companies are located in the UAE, Iran, and China.
Denunciamos nuevas medidas coercitivas unilaterales impuestas por EEUU a #Irán, que atentan contra el normal desarrollo de las negociaciones entre ambos gobiernos.
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) June 9, 2025
Esas acciones estadounidenses son ilegales, arbitrarias y violan el Derecho Internacional. pic.twitter.com/AzUUI9jKh9
Commenting on the Israeli occupation's interception of the Madleen vessel, Rodriguez condemned the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and considered the detention of the vessel and crew an attempt to obstruct humanitarian efforts aimed at breaking the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.
He stressed that "the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip is illegal," calling for its immediate end, adding, "Enough with the genocide against the Palestinian people."
Freedom Flotilla sought to break Gaza blockade
The British-flagged Madleen was carrying a symbolic cargo of humanitarian supplies, including rice and baby formula intended for Gaza. Organized by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the mission aimed to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
The vessel never reached its destination. According to FFC’s Telegram channel, the ship was intercepted in the early hours of Monday before it could breach the Israeli naval blockade.
Details of the raid
"Israel's" Foreign Ministry had criticized the mission, suggesting that activists like Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg were attempting to provoke media attention for publicity.
The ministry published a video showing detained activists being escorted, along with an X post saying, "The show is over."
SOS messages to follow#alleyesonMadleen pic.twitter.com/O02sv5c1jW
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 9, 2025
The FFC reported that quadcopters were deployed by Israeli forces and used to surround the ship before spraying it with an unidentified “white liquid.” The full nature of the substance remains unclear.
The Madleen was encircled by the Israeli Navy before towing it to Ashdod port. Israeli authorities confirmed that the 12 pro-Palestine activists on board were detained and will be deported back to their home countries.
