Tehran Condemns US Travel Ban Targeting Iranians and Muslim Countries as ‘Racist’
Tehran has denounced Trump's travel ban, which targets Iranian nationals alongside those from several other Muslim-majority countries. The Iranian government stated that this action demonstrates Washington's "deep hostility" toward the Iranian people.
In an announcement made on Saturday, Alireza Hashemi Raja, the Director General for Iranian Expatriates at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, characterized the action as unmistakable proof of a “supremacist and racist” mentality prevailing among U.S. policy-makers.
He stated that the US administration’s move to impose restrictions on Iranian nationals solely due to their religion and nationality demonstrates a profound animosity from US decision-makers towards the Iranian populace and Muslims. Additionally, he claimed it contravenes essential principles of international law, notably the prohibition of discrimination and the upholding of fundamental human rights.
Hashemi Raja asserted that prohibiting hundreds of millions of individuals from traveling solely based on their nationality or religion constitutes an instance of racial discrimination and systemic racism perpetuated by the governing authorities in the United States.
He urged the United Nations and human rights organizations to take a public stand against the United States’ unilateral actions that violate rights. He emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran is prepared to implement all necessary steps to safeguard its citizens’ rights from the impact of these discriminatory policies.
On Wednesday, Trump enacted a comprehensive directive enacting a total travel ban for citizens of 12 countries, alongside introducing travel limitations for individuals from seven more nations.
The list of restricted nations encompasses Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
The United States has implemented partial entry restrictions for individuals coming from seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Trump also indicated that the list is subject to revision and additional countries may be included.
