Russian UN ambassador urges end to unilateral sanctions on Iran

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Dec 2023 00:19

Nebenzia urged Western nations to promptly abandon their policy of imposing unilateral restrictions on Iran, expressing this view during a meeting on Iran with Security Council members.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia addresses members during the U.N. Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters. Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia on Monday urged Western states to cease their strategy of imposing unilateral restrictions on Iran.

"We believe that Western countries as soon as possible should reject their policy of having unilateral restrictions against the Islamic Republic of Iran," Nebenzia told the Security Council members during a meeting on Iran.

Iran has faced enduring US sanctions for numerous years due to its nuclear program development. These sanctions impose limitations on Iran's oil exports and freeze the accounts of Iranian leaders, high-ranking officials, and legal entities.

On December 1st, the US House of Representatives approved the No Funds For Iranian Terrorism Act. This legislation aims to re-impose restrictions on $6 billion in Iranian funds, which were initially released by the administration of US President Joe Biden as part of a prisoner swap deal reached earlier in the year.

Sanctions on Iran, Russia 'futile'

On September 20, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu pointed out that Russia-Iran cooperation is reaching "new highs".

"We are determined to implement the entire set of our planned activities despite opposition from the US and its Western allies," Shoigu stressed during talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani in Tehran.

He indicated that "the pressure of sanctions on Russia and Iran is proving to be futile, while Russia-Iran cooperation is reaching new highs."

The Russian defense chief also expressed Moscow's readiness "to take further joint steps to strengthen stability and security in the Middle East."

"We are pleased to note that the Russia-Iran dialogue has been particularly intense recently," state-run Russian news agency TASS quoted Shoigu as saying.

He added that this is primarily owing to the leaders of Russia and Iran having trusting relationships.

"The high intensity of meetings confirms our common determination to continue boosting strategic defense partnership," he emphasized.