Iran blasts 'destructive' Western measures after 'baseless' drone claims

Iran has condemned fresh sanctions the EU and Britain have imposed against Tehran under the “bogus and baseless pretext” that Iranian-built unmanned aerial vehicles were used in the Ukraine war.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani on Saturday severely denounced the decisions by the EU's Council of Foreign Ministers and London to slap the new embargoes, dismissing the claims raised by Britain, France and Germany.

The Iranian diplomat went on to refute the groundless allegations about the delivery of drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine war, reiterating that Tehran has “always insisted that all United Nations member states should fully respect the goals and principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the international law, including the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of world countries.”

Kan’ani underscored that Iran supports peace and an immediate end to the war in Ukraine through a political process.

He also lambasted the European troika for their “irresponsible, destructive and illegal measures” to create “a poisonous political atmosphere” against the Islamic Republic.

“They are attempting to give a misleading interpretation on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 and make a connection between their baseless claims and the Resolution,” the spokesman said.

He underlined that the issues regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the UNSC Resolution 2231 are totally unrelated both in terms of subject and context.

Kan’ani also pointed to the deceptive policies of European governments, saying, “The great Iranian nation would never forget that certain European countries, which have raised claims against the Islamic Republic of Iran, are partner in [slain Iraqi dictator] Saddam’s crimes as they had supplied him with weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, during the eight years of imposed war.”

He stated that Tehran still holds those European governments accountable for aiding and abetting the former Iraqi dictator in perpetrating crimes against Iranians.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the ongoing provocative approaches taken by the European Union and the UK as part of a purposeful political scenario that runs counter to their hollow and hypocritical claims on contributing to sustainable peace and stability in the world,” Kan’ani said.

He also denounced the European Union over its “destructive” moves in recent days, adding, “In order to protect the national interests and ensure the legitimate rights of the noble Iranian people, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to respond to any irresponsible action and would not hesitate about defending the Iranian nation’s interests.”

SS