Iranian Foreign Ministry is slated to publish an annual report on the situation of human rights in the United States, according to spokesman Nasser Kanaani.
Speaking at his weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Kanaani said Reviewing American Human Rights Week is among the upcoming events to be held in Iran.
“During these four decades, we have had bitter incidents, including the explosion of the (Iranian) prime minister’s office, the chemical bombing of Sardasht by Saddam’s regime, the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sadoughi, the US attack on the Iranian airliner, and other painful incidents carried out by the US,” he explained.
Kanaani commented on the expansion of Iran’s ties with regional countries and some speculations about the Islamic Republic’s agreement with the United States, stating that Iran’s stance about the US is quite clear and that he had just listed a few of the crimes committed by the US against the Iranian people and government.
The spokesman went on to say that the Islamic Republic’s approach to the United States has its root in Washington’s hostile behavior and as long as the American’s attitude does not fundamentally change, it is natural that Iran’s viewpoint concerning the US will not alter.
According to the Iranian diplomat, the Supreme Leader’s point of view regarding the United States is the source of reference for the Iranian nation and government.
Sanctions removal talks
Kanaani rejected media speculations regarding negotiations on lifting sanctions against Iran, saying that the speculations are influenced by political aims of certain parties to Iran nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, or those who are not part of the procedure.
Iran has never left the negotiating table. he said, adding that the continuation and conclusion of talks will depend on the other parties, especially the US administration.
In response to an IRNA reporter’s question about recent negotiations between Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and EU Deputy Foreign Policy Chief Enrique Mora as well as three European parties, he said that Iran continues the negotiations and diplomatic approaches via various means.
Negotiations with the E3 states were held in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, and a meeting with Mora was held in Doha, in Qatar.
When asked if there were any serious talks between Bagheri Kani and Mora, he said, “We need to see if the other party is ready to correct its behavior.”
Ukraine war
Elsewhere in his remarks, Kanaani said Iran has made its position clear that a political approach is needed to end the crisis in Ukraine.
“We invited the parties to this [war] and said that all those who are influential should pave the way for getting out of the crisis in Ukraine based on a political solution,” he said, adding that Iran encourages influential regional and international actors to find a political solution to get out of the Ukraine crisis.
He said Iran opposes interference in the internal affairs of countries, including with regards to the recent developments in Russia.
Afghanistan must take practical action over Iran’s water rights
On the issue of Iran’s water rights from the Helmand (Hirmand) River, the spokesman said that negotiations are ongoing between the two sides and that the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan recognize Iran’s water rights but, at the same time, cite reasons such as drought for failing to provide Iran with its share.
In addition to announcing its adherence to the joint agreement, the Afghan government should take practical measures to realize the right of the Iranian people from the Helmand River, he added.
A plan for Persian Gulf cooperation
Kanaani referred to the recent trip of the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian to four littoral states of the Persian Gulf and the positive atmosphere in the region, saying that the foreign minister embraced the initiative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres concerning the Persian Gulf region and that Iran proposed the idea of establishing a dialogue and cooperation assembly, which was welcomed by various countries; thus, the regional states will be provided with the details of the idea.
The spokesman went on to say that the Islamic Republic has emphasized and continues to underline the need for maintaining regional security and that Iran considers it a prerequisite for expanding trade relations between different nations.
Iraq gov’t responsible for Kurdistan region
Kanaani pointed to the relationship between Iran and the northern region of Iraq, noting that in relation to the Iraqi Kurdistan region, “We obviously expect the Iraqi government to act in line with the good neighborliness policy and within the framework of a bilateral security agreement. We also expect the officials of the northern region in Iraq to act responsibly in this regard.”
Iran did not take any unusual measures in its borders and the Iranian armed forces always acted in line with their intrinsic tasks to ensure security along the common borders and will continue the same path.
He also said that with respect to the groups that are present on the other side of the Iranian borders and consider themselves refugees, it should be noted that the nature of being a refugee is not compatible with having arms.
Those people are not refugees, but they are groups with separatist motives, the spokesman said, adding that Tehran expects the central government in Iraq and officials in the northern region of the Arab country to fulfill their obligations in line with the good neighborliness policy.
He argued that a roadmap has been agreed upon within the framework of the Iran-Iraq security agreement and the issues mentioned in that accord should be followed up accordingly.
MKO terrorists are dangerous even for their hosts
In response to a question about Mujahedin-e Khalq (MKO) terrorists and the discovery of their espionage equipment by the Albanian government, Kanaani said that the MKO has a terrorist nature.
It is completely clear, and its black record is known to everyone, he added. MKO was previously on the list of Western terrorist groups, but with a political and questionable approach, it was removed from the list, he stated.
He stressed that the terrorist nature of the MKO is not hidden from anyone, and it can also be dangerous to its host.
Underlying the fact that MKO terrorists have assassinated 17,000 Iranians, Kanaani said, “We have taken several legal and political measures to sue the MKO crimes, and these measures will continue.”
Raisi admin’s facilities for Iranian expatriates
Kanaani also explained that supporting Iranian expatriates is a priority for the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the minister himself is constantly following up on the issue through Iranian missions in different countries.
“President Raisi himself is seriously interested in this issue, and good facilities have been provided for Iranian expatriates,” he said.
State of Hamid Nouri’s case
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said Tehran will pursue the issue of Hamid Nouri’s imprisonment in Sweden through various political and legal means until he is released.
“This issue is one of our demands from the Swedish government, and we have always stated that arresting him was invalid and wrong,” he said, adding that Iran will spare no efforts for to secure Nouri’s release.
He also explained that the case is at the stage of the appeal court, and 12 sessions have been held so far in the appeal court.
Iran warns Europe
The spokesman referred to new European sanctions against the Islamic Republic, saying that the stance translates into moving in the wrong direction because their request for dialogue and their imposition of new sanctions against Iran are contradictory.
Europe should refrain from taking up the path that the US chose, Kanaani said, adding that the European governments is expected to change the course of imposing sanctions on the Iranian government and people.
Source: Agencies
