Countries Must Join to Eliminate U.S. Weapon of Sanctions
TEHRAN – Leader of the
Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei told visiting Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko that countries sanctioned by the U.S. must join hands to neutralize the weapon.
“Countries that are sanctioned by the U.S. must work together and form a joint collective to eliminate the weapon of sanctions, and we believe this is doable,” the Leader said.
Ayatollah Khamenei touched on U.S. sanctions against Iran since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, saying they made Iran explore its intrinsic capabilities and forces.
As a result, Iran succeeded to make eye-catching advances in various fields, including science and technology, medicine and biology, aerospace, and nuclear science and nanotechnology, the Leader said.
“If the countries that have been sanctioned by America make use of one another’s capacities, it will have great benefit for all of them,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Leader said Iran and Belarus can cooperate in many areas, including science and technology, trade, and political activities in international organizations.
He touched on the North-South Transportation Corridor, saying it will benefit both countries as well as Russia and the entire region, which calls for all sides to strive to get it launched.
The Leader said agreements among countries must not remain limited to meetings.
Ayatollah Khamenei said the world needs spirituality as a driving force for all nations.
The Belarusian president said his visit to Iran was aimed at opening a new chapter in the two countries’ relations. He pledged to follow up on all agreements between the two countries through cooperation and determination of his Iranian counterpart.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran made great advances and gained amazing experiences under sanctions and we believe that if conditions created by sanctions are used properly, they can provide an opportunity for progress,” Lukashenko said.
He said his trip to Iran was also aimed at getting acquainted with Iran’s achievements in various fields.
“We have come to know our true and false friends under the current hard international conditions and we are determined to engage in special cooperation with our true friends.”
Lukashenko arrived in the Iranian capital late Sunday and was officially received by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday.
The visit comes as the two countries mark 30 years of official diplomatic relations.
The two presidents and their delegations held talks, at the end of which they signed eight agreements on trade, mining and transportation, among other things.
“Today we achieved an agreement on a comprehensive roadmap between Iran and Belarus,” President Raisi said during a joint conference with Lukashenko following the talks.
“This comprehensive roadmap between Iran and Belarus outlines political and economic conditions and encompasses all areas of interest between the two countries.”
The Iranian president also declared that Tehran has made United States and Western sanctions into opportunities for itself and is ready to share its experiences of dealing with the sanctions with “friendly” Belarus. Both countries oppose “unilateralism”, Raisi said.
Lukashenko said sanctions could be turned into an opportunity, and added that he was looking forward to expanding economic relations with Iran. The two agreed to set a target of $100 million for bilateral trade this year.
“Iran and Belarus both want to see a just, multipolar world,” Lukashenko said. “The two countries fully trust each other and their two nations also support expanding relations.”
