Iran is not a “bargaining chip” to be factored into elections and
domestic policy in the United States, the country’s President,
Hassan Rouhani has said, stressing that the overall era of
dominance and hegemony by a few world powers is “long over.”
Addressing world leaders at the UN General Assembly’s annual
debate, the Iranian leader highlighted the 2015 Joint
Comprehensive Programme of Action (JCPOA) as one of the “biggest
accomplishments” in the history of diplomacy, adding that his
country had remained faithful to the agreement in spite of what
he termed persistent violations by the US.
President Rouhani denounced baseless allegations against his
country as well as the “unlawful” attempts by the US to “exploit”
the Security Council and
Resolution 2231.
“I should express our appreciation to the presidents of the
Security Council for the months of August and September 2020, as
well as to thirteen of its members – especially Russia and China
– who twice said a decisive and resounding ‘NO’ to the unlawful
US attempt to exploit the Council and its Resolution 2231,” he
said, adding:
“This is a victory not just for Iran, but for the global
community – during the transitional international order in the
post-Western world – that an aspirant of hegemony is humiliated
in such self-created isolation.”
Life hard under sanctions, but harder without
independence
President Rouhani spoke of the challenges Iranians are facing due
to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the
added impact of sanctions imposed on Iran, in violation of the
UN Charter
and international agreements.
“Life is hard under sanctions. However, harder, is life without
independence”, he said, underscoring that the dignity and
prosperity of Iran are essential for its people.
“We are not a bargaining chip in US elections and domestic
policy. Any US administration after the upcoming elections will
have no choice but to surrender to the resilience of the Iranian
nation”, President Rouhani said.
“And for the world: 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. Now is the time for the right choice.”
