Unilateral sanctions detrimental to West: Iran MP

A senior Iranian lawmaker says unilateral sanctions against Iran over its nuclear energy program have been detrimental to the West as it lost the opportunity of trade with Tehran.

“Western countries have in practice deprived their companies of trade and commercial opportunities [in Iran] by unilaterally reducing ties and imposing sanctions,” Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s Majlis Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Tuesday.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Political Director General of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lubomir Rehak in Tehran.

The Iranian legislator also added that the production of nuclear weapons is the country’s red line and reaffirmed Tehran’s absolute right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The United States, Israel and some of their allies have accused Iran of pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy program. Under the allegation, the US and its European allies have imposed sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Boroujerdi further said the Iranian and Slovakian parliaments can play a leading role in improving exchanges in different sectors.

“There are great political, economic and industrial capacities in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Slovakia and enhanced joint cooperation will be useful for the two countries,” he said.

The Slovakian official, for his part, described Iran as a great country which can help establish regional and global stability and tranquility.

He praised nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1countries and added that Slovakia supports the right of all countries to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in line with international regulations.