Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday (October 15, 2024) summoned Hungary’s ambassador to condemn the bloc’s recent sanctions on the Islamic republic, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.
The ministry announced Iran’s “strong objection” in a statement and said that “resorting to illegal and coercive methods such as sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran is in no way acceptable and will serve no purpose.”
The 27-member bloc on Monday imposed sanctions on key Iranian officials and entities including airlines accused of taking part in the transfer of missiles and drones to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine.
The sanctions were imposed on seven entities, including Iran Air, and seven individuals, including Deputy Defense Minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari and senior officials of the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC.
The ministry described the sanctions on Iran’s airlines as a “clear violation of the standards and regulations of international law, especially fundamental human rights and freedoms.”
It described the country’s “defense and military cooperation” as “legal and aimed at protecting Iran’s interests and national security,” which is “not a matter in which third parties are allowed to interfere.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the new sanctions in a post on the social media platform X, saying Iran’s “support of Russia in its aggressive war against Ukraine is unacceptable and must be stopped.”
The sanctions would freeze the assets of Iranian entities and individuals targeted and ban them from traveling to the EU.
However, Tehran has rejected Western accusations that it has transferred missiles or drones to Moscow for use against Kiev.
Iran’s economy is already struggling under US sanctions following Washington’s unilateral withdrawal in 2018 from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said indirect nuclear talks with the United States through Oman had been halted, citing the chaotic war situation in the region.
“This (muscat) process has been put on hold for the time being due to the specific circumstances of the region.”
published – October 16, 2024 05:57 am IST