Iran's Mission at UN Condemns US Sanctions

27 October 2007

United Nations-The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, in a press release on Saturday, condemned US unilateral sanctions against Iran.

The following is the full text of the press release:

"Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations wishes to state the following with regard to the recent move by the United States on 25 October 2007 in labeling baseless allegations and imposing illegal unilateral sanctions against certain Iranian nationals as well as financial, military and other institutions:

The aforesaid unilateral measures imposed by the US Government against Iranian nationals as well as military, financial and other institutions, yet again put on display the unilateralist approach of the United States and is doomed to fail because of its illegal, illegitimate, and hegemonic nature. Undoubtedly, labeling sovereign nations and aspects of their national institutions as terrorist is against the most basic principles of international law, international relations and the UN Charter .

To the knowledge of all, and despite the massive misleading political and propaganda campaign orchestrated by the United States and its proxies, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC) is an essential part of the Iranian national military force which has made immense sacrifices in defending the Iranian territorial integrity, including by its heroic defense of the country visa-vis the US- instigated aggression by Saddam Hussein against Iran.

Because of their heroic contribution in defending the country, including through offering hundreds of thousands of martyrs and wounded who have sacrificed their lives in this regard, the IRGC has its roots down in the hearts and minds of the Iranian nation .Through targeting the IRGC and Iranian defense forces and institutions, the US is therefore targeting the whole Iranian nation.

As stressed, time and again, by the IAEA officials and reports, the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran is purely peaceful and there is no single evidence or indication to the contrary. Whereas the US has failed to provide the slightest evidence with regard to "proliferation concerns " in Iran, our country has demonstrated the peaceful nature of its nuclear program through complete transparency and full cooperation with the IAEA and its robust inspections.

Equally baseless are the absurd allegations on the so-called "support for terrorism "leveled against certain Iranian entities or nationals. Iran is one of the first victims of the terrorist activities by the extremists and other terrorist groups which have been created, financed, harbored and supported by the United States, and has always rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The US unilateral sanctions against Iranian banks are also a clear showcase of its animosity towards the ordinary Iranian depositors. How can such moves be reconciled with the hypocritical claims by the US officials who pretend to be mindful of ordinary people?

At a time when the cooperation between Iran and the IAEA is proceeding well and the international community is supporting a negotiated solution for the issue, such an unilateral move by the US well indicates that it seeks to undermine the negotiations and cooperation in this regard. The said US move is a purely politically motivated and illegal measure which disrespects other important international players. The said US unilateral measures are also a clear indicative of the US opposition to the peaceful settlement of the issue.

The preliminary reaction of various countries across the globe and their rejection of the most recent US unilateral sanctions against Iran, testifies to the fact that these measures and policies will not be effective and their failure is sure in advance. These illegal unilateral measures well explain that the United States, from a helpless position and as a result of its isolation, has resorted to unilateral sanctions, rather than appreciating the positive atmosphere created by Iran's cooperation with the IAEA .

The peace-loving Iranian nation which seeks a world free from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, considers the current US warmongering as a threat against the whole international community."