Iran has strongly condemned the United States’ “inhumane” sanctions against Cuba, calling on Washington to be held accountable for what it describes as a systemic violation of the Cuban people’s fundamental rights.
In a statement on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei asserted that the economic measures against Cuba constitute a clear breach of the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and international law.
He emphasized that the sanctions infringe upon the right of nations to self-determination, undermine respect for national sovereignty, and violate the prohibition on intervention in the internal affairs of sovereign states.
“The United States must be held accountable for its continued and systematic violation of these principles and norms, as well as for the widespread infringement of the human rights of the Cuban people—actions that amount to a crime against humanity,” Baghaei said.
The spokesman highlighted that the US has maintained an economic blockade against Cuba for over 64 years, resulting in severe humanitarian and material consequences for the nation in blatant disregard of its people’s basic rights.
Tensions have further escalated since January 29, when former US President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring a purported national emergency and authorizing trade tariffs on oil imports from third countries doing business with Cuba. Following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January, the Trump administration has effectively cut off Cuba from its primary oil supplier, Caracas.
Washington has also pressured Mexico to halt fuel shipments to Havana, threatening economic tariffs on any nation exporting oil to the island. Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Miami-born son of Cuban immigrants, have openly expressed intentions to destabilize the government in Havana.
The longstanding US trade embargo was first imposed shortly after the 1959 Cuban Revolution, which brought Fidel Castro and a socialist government to power. By 1962, the initial sanctions had been tightened into a comprehensive economic embargo that remains in place today.
Source: Press tv