GeneralIranWest AsiaWorld News

BRICS leaders ‘concerned’ about sanctions, military threats against Iran

kaffash20130327162249513

The BRICS group of emerging powers has expressed concern over unilateral sanctions and the threat of military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

BRICS member states called for “political and diplomatic means” to deal with the issue of Iran’s nuclear energy program on the second day of the group’s fifth annual summit held in the South African city of Durban on Wednesday.

“We are concerned about threats of military action as well as unilateral sanctions [against Iran],” leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa said at the end of the two-day summit.

The comments come days after US President Barack Obama repeated speculative statements about Iran’s nuclear energy program, saying “all options are on the table” and Washington “will do what is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining the world’s worst weapons.”

Meanwhile, BRICS nations further voiced ‘deep concern’ over nearly two years of ongoing unrest in Syria.

The group’s leaders urged a “Syrian-led political process” to solve the crisis through dialogue “that meets the legitimate aspirations of all sections of Syrian society and respect for Syrian independence.”

The United States, Israel and some of their allies have repeatedly accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program.

Iran has categorically rejected the allegation, maintaining that as a committed signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and an International Atomic Energy Agency member, it is entitled to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

In addition, the IAEA has conducted numerous inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities but has never found any evidence showing that the Iranian nuclear program has been diverted toward military objectives.

Back to top button