Iran’s foreign minister said on Thursday that illegitimate sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union have limited Tehran’s ability to expand economic cooperation with other nations.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks in an interview with Uganda’s BBEG media outlet on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement foreign ministers’ meeting in Kampala.
He said Iran remained committed to strengthening economic partnerships among member states.
“We welcome unity and economic partnerships among Non-Aligned Movement countries to promote effective diplomacy and sustainable development within our group. This solidarity is vital for all our partners,” Araghchi said.
Iran, he added, had significant capacity to share expertise with developing nations in areas such as oil and gas and called for greater South-South cooperation.
The Non-Aligned Movement was founded during the Cold War by states seeking to avoid alignment with either the US or Soviet blocs.
NAM includes around 120 member countries and focuses on issues such as sovereignty, economic development, social justice and mutual cooperation.
Iran became a NAM member in 1961 and has at times held its presidency.
A day earlier, Araghchi had urged member states to reject what he described as “invalid” attempts by the United States and the three European countries known as the E3 — Britain, France and Germany — to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran.
He called the move “groundless and illegitimate” speaking during the 19th Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala on Wednesday.
“This stance not only renews our joint dedication to NAM’s core values but also sends a loud and clear message to the world that independent nations, united in solidarity and purposeful resolve, will not bow to bullying or coercive pressures,” he said.
The E3 triggered the reimposition of international sanctions on Iran last month, accusing Tehran of spurning diplomacy and nuclear inspections.
Russia and China sought to block the move at the UN Security Council on September 26 not enough member states supported their bid and the sanctions were reimposed the following day.
