Senior official: Iran not to cave in under pressure of sanctions

Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs says the Islamic Republic will not cave in to external pressure, adding that the so-called rights advocates are themselves the biggest rights violators for subjecting Iran to the most brutal sanctions.

Kazem Gharibabadi made the statement in the opening ceremony of an exhibition showcasing Iranian women's achievements in the capital Tehran on Tuesday.

“Those who claim to advocate for human rights while they issue resolutions against Iran and criticize the human rights situation in the country are, in fact, the biggest violators of the rights of the Iranian people, as they have endangered the right to life and well-being of millions of Iranians by imposing unjust sanctions,” Gharibabadi said.

“If these human rights advocates truly care about the human rights of the people of Iran, they should lift the unilateral sanctions against the Iranian people.”

Affirming that Iran remains strong despite economic pressures, he added, “These so-called human rights defenders do not even exempt food and medicine. But we are a great nation with vast capacities, and we are proud of our people. Based on national pride and effort, these threats and sanctions have no impact on the Islamic Republic of Iran. If any other country had endured just 10% of Iran’s sanctions, it would have collapsed by now.”

Underlining that the Islamic Republic is determined to support and promote human rights, Gharibabadi said Iran is a victim of terrorism, with over 23,000 Iranian men, women and children having been killed by terrorists.

Taking to task Western governments for harboring groups responsible for terrorist attacks on Iran, the senior official condemned the “politicization” of human rights and asserted that countries that have favorable political relations with the West enjoy immunity in the face of international criticisms and rights resolutions.  

“We are an independent country and we do not yield to any demands under pressure, and this is part of Iran's history. Iran is a country which enjoys a 7,000- year-old civilization and believes in religious principles and values,” Gharibabadi  said.

“Can one speak to this country with the language of force, threats, and sanctions and expect the people of that country to surrender? Never!”

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The Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly denounced the latest round of Canadian sanctions against the Islamic Republic, characterizing them as “deceitful” and “in violation of international law.”

Last month, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed concern that some countries are using human rights as a tool to exert political and economic pressure on other nations or interfere in their internal affairs.

Araqchi called on the international community to work toward protecting and promoting human rights based on the principles of fairness and impartiality.

Iran has long been the target of Western sanctions, which have intensified under the administration of US President Donald Trump and its European allies.

The so-called “maximum pressure” campaign has significantly impacted Iran’s economy and has been widely condemned as a form of hybrid warfare.

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