US revealed bullying nature by preventing Iran from hosting shipping event: Kan’ani

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has strongly condemned the United States over rejection of Tehran’s offer to host a maritime event in October, stating that the move showed that Washington recognizes no limits in politically abusing the United Nations' technical and specialized agencies.

“The United States once again exposed its arrogant and colonial nature by obstructing the shipping event in Iran,” Nasser Kan’ani said in a statement on Friday.

Iran had proposed to hold a shipping event in Tehran in late October 2023 along with an annual maritime day organized by the IMO, which the IMO's executive Council agreed to in 2015.

However, Tehran's bid to host the event was turned down after the US spearheaded a proposal to revoke the offer and the UN shipping agency's Council voted in favor of it.

“This is while the above-mentioned event had been ratified by the International Maritime Organization’s (executive) Council in London in 2015, and had been also endorsed by the general assembly of the UN-affiliated organization,” he added.

The top Iranian diplomat highlighted that the US move, which was backed by the United Kingdom, proved that Washington sees no limits to the political exploitation of the UN’s technical and expert institutions, even if it results in undermining the international credibility of such organizations.

Kan'ani also denounced the US over ignoring the majority vote of the IMO member states.

He emphasized that the latest US move runs counter to the international principles, and was strongly opposed by many IMO Council members, which voted against Washington’s proposal or abstained from voting and underscored that reneging on the organization's previous decisions would discredit it.

Kan’ani went on to lash out at the US government for resorting to falsification, accusations and lies in order to cover up its illegal and unjustifiable actions.

“As a member of IMO, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always stressed its active and responsible activism in the international maritime sphere and acts in accordance with international commitments,” he concluded.

SS