By The SATimes News Service
United Nations: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hit out at the US over its decision to impose economic sanctions, in his address at the United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking in a recorded video message, the Iranian leader outlined the US hostile policies towards Iran, including very harsh sanctions.
“Today is the time to say ‘no’ to bullying and arrogance. The era of dominance and hegemony is long over. Our nations and children deserve a better and safer world based on the rule of law,” he said.
He said that Iran has suffered most due to the COVID-19 because instead of enjoying global partnership and cooperation during the pandemic, it is grappling with the harshest sanctions.
While the anniversary meeting was taking place in New York, the Trump administration announced a series of steps to back up the sanctions it reimposed on Iran on September 19.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters in Washington that Trump’s order to reimpose the sanctions gave a “new and powerful tool to enforce the UN arms embargo and hold those who seek to evade UN sanctions accountable”.
Western allies of the US on the Security Council, along with the others, have opposed the action.
Trump had pulled out of the international agreement made in 2015 between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany to lift sanctions imposed by the council in return for Tehran stopping its nuclear weapons programme.
Rouhani said that Iran does not deserve sanctions as it was the first country in the region to stand with the people and government of Kuwait against occupation by Saddam (Hussein); it was Iran that foiled his dream of dominating all his former Arab allies.
