US interventions undermine regional peace, stability: President Rouhani

Speaking in a phone call with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on Monday, Rouhani highlighted interventionist behavior of the United States in the region, describing them as detrimental to peace, security and stability in West Asia.

“Security of the region and waterways is of high importance to Iran, but unfortunately, high-risk behavior on the part of the US can undermine stability in the Persian Gulf region,” Iran’s president said.

He hailed the Chinese government’s stance on the “cruel and illegal” sanctions imposed by the US on Iran and said, “The world is currently facing a situation, under which we all need to help one other, but some parties are pressing ahead with their illegal and inhumane sanctions.”

Rouhani expressed hope that collective cooperation and resistance of countries such as China would lead to the establishment of a world free of sanctions.

The US re-imposed unilateral sanctions against Iran in May 2018 after withdrawing from a nuclear agreement among Tehran and five world powers, which has been endorsed by the United Nations Security Council resolution.

Iran sued the US at the International Court of Justice afterwards. The tribunal ruled that the US should lift its sanctions on humanitarian supplies.

Washington alleges that it has exempted foodstuffs and medicine from the bans. Tehran roundly rejects the claim.

The US has also refused to lift its sanctions amid the viral coronavirus pandemic, which has complicated Iran’s battle against the outbreak.

The Chinese president, for his part, denounced US insistence on continuation of sanctions and maximum pressure against Iran, saying that some countries look to make political gains out of the current conditions while China is ready to implement international regulations.

Xi also lauded Iran’s help with Beijing’s fight against coronavirus pandemic and expressed his country’s readiness to continue assisting Iran in its struggle against COVID-19.

The Chinese president said reduction of mortality and morbidity resulting from coronavirus in Iran showed that the country has chosen the right treatment protocols and implemented them meticulously.

In a phone call with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo earlier on Monday, Rouhani said the United States’ illegal sanctions against Iran are at odds with the fundamental principles of human rights.

 “[Such] illegal instances of opposition can prove dangerous in circumstances when all of the countries of the world are engaged in fighting the coronavirus,” the Iranian president added.