Iran refutes US for illegal action against Iran's shipping lines

13 September 2008

New York-Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations on Friday strongly condemned the US for illegal action against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, saying that it targeted the welfare of the Iranian nation.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Iranian mission denounced the unwarranted move by the United States on September 10, 2008 in labeling baseless allegations and taking illegal unilateral measures against the IRISL, to exert pressure on thousands of ordinary shareholders of the company.

"The said illegal and unjustifiable measures that are taken under false pretexts, yet again put on display the unilateralist approach of the United States, and constitute another example of US contempt for international law, and are indeed doomed to fail because of their hegemonic, illegitimate and illegal nature," the statement added.

The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects the baseless allegations made by the US against the IRISL, and strongly condemns the said US invalid unilateral measures, it added.

The statement further noted that the IRISL has been operating under the rules and regulations of international law pertaining to the carriage of goods by sea, and as such, has never engaged in illicit activities including "proliferation activities", since there are such activities in Iran.

As stressed, time and again, by the officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency and as reflected in the agency's numerous reports, the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran is purely peaceful and there is no single evidence or indication to the contrary, it said.

"Given the US has failed to provide any evidence with regard to the so-called "proliferation concerns" in Iran, nor has it presented any substantiation to its allegations against IRISL, these unlawful unilateral measures only add to the absurdity of such blind US policies and practices."

Equally unwarranted are the attempts by the United States to justify such illegal actions by its false and perverted interpretation of the Security Council resolution is, it never prescribes such measures, the statement said.

"It is abundantly clear that these measures are intended to target the welfare of the Iranian nation, and to exert undue pressure on thousands of ordinary shareholders of this company," it said.

Therefore, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to seek compensation for the damages that may be incurred to its citizens as a result of such unfounded accusations and unlawful unilateral measures.

The statement said that history should have taught a lesson to the advocates of unilateralism and hegemony, that no amount of pressure, intimidation and unlawful measures will be able to break the resolve of a great nation that is determined to defend its rights.