Hassan Rouhani in Turkey: US Actions Against Iran Are 100 Percent Terrorist
The presidents of Turkey and Iran on Thursday, December 20, strongly criticized US sanctions against Tehran in a joint press conference and emphasized the continuation of commercial relations between the two neighboring countries.
Hassan Rouhani, the president of Iran, who traveled to Turkey at the head of a high-level delegation, protested the US sanctions in this press conference and called it a “terrorist” action.
Mr. Rouhani said: “The US action against Iran is 100 percent terrorist because it intimidates other countries and companies and prevents them from conducting free trade”.
According to the Iranian president, the US sanctions are “contrary to” international regulations and UN Security Council Resolution 2231, since this resolution “is binding and asks all countries to create an appropriate commercial environment with Iran”.
Resolution 2231 was passed in the Security Council following the agreement between Iran and world powers over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, which nullifies nuclear sanctions against Tehran.
Hassan Rouhani continued his Thursday remarks by welcoming the development of relations with Turkey and praised Mr. Erdoğan’s positions regarding US sanctions.
He also said in the session of Iran-Turkey Supreme Council of Strategic Relations: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been beside the people and government of Turkey in difficult days, and today we are pleased that under the illegal and unjust conditions of US sanctions against Iran, the Turkish government and nation also stand beside the Islamic Republic of Iran”.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the president of Turkey, also expressed support for Iran against sanctions and stated that Ankara wants to increase bilateral commercial relations with Tehran from the current $11 billion to $30 billion.
Following America’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal between world powers and Iran on May 8, US sanctions against Tehran returned in full from mid-November, which has led to the cessation of activities of many large foreign companies in Iran.
The second and final round of these sanctions also covers Iranian oil, but the US has temporarily exempted some of its allies so they can gradually reduce their dependence on Iranian oil.
Turkey is among this group of countries and can purchase Iranian oil for six months. Seven other countries included in this exemption are China, India, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Greece, and Taiwan.
However, Turkey has sought a permanent exemption from US oil sanctions against Iran and said that the country cannot find alternative sources for importing Iranian oil. At the same time, Ankara has consistently declared its opposition to the return of sanctions against Iran.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also emphasized in his Thursday remarks that Ankara will not support these sanctions and stands with Iran.
He said: “The United States sanctions [against Iran] have endangered the region’s security and stability and we do not support them. We continue to stand by the Iranian people in a brotherly manner”.
Source: Radio Farda
