Illegal US-engineered sanctions on Iran endanger energy security: Tehran

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast

Mon Jul 2, 2012 6:56AM GMT

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They (the US and the EU) should be held accountable for their irresponsible measures which will aggravate the economic crisis in the world, since [energy] security is an indispensable part of the global energy market.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast

(press Tv) Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says the unilateral and illegal US-engineered sanctions against Tehran run counter to international regulations and have jeopardized the global energy security.

The United States and the European Union (EU) have, by continuing the approach of sanctions and pressure, practically jeopardized the global energy security and balance, Mehmanparast said Monday.

“They (the US and the EU) should be held accountable for their irresponsible measures which will aggravate the economic crisis in the world, since [energy] security is an indispensable part of the global energy market,” he added.

Mehmanparast described the unilateral US-engineered sanctions as illegitimate and in violation of international rules and regulations, including those on free trade.

He also pointed out that the US and the EU will face intensified financial woes as well as increasing social unrest as a result of their polices.

The Iranian official noted that by imposing sanctions, the West showed that not only don’t they follow a constructive approach to Iran’s nuclear energy issue, but they also seek to create tensions at a time when the emphasis in the talks between Iran and the P5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) is on building mutual trust to reach an acceptable resolution.

The Iranian nation will not surrender under threats and pressures, he said, adding that sanctions will lead to the nation’s unity against its enemies and will promote Iran’s self-sufficiency.

Mehmanparast once again reiterated Iran’s belief in the motto of “nuclear energy for all, nuclear weapon for none” and said in line with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Islamic Republic defends this approach in all international circles and organizations and is determined to restore its nuclear rights.

The sanctions by the US and EU are meant to pressure the Islamic Republic over its nuclear energy program, which Washington, Israel and some of their allies claim includes a military aspect.

Iran dismisses such allegations, arguing that as a committed signatory to the NPT and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it has the right to use the nuclear technology for peaceful purposes