Raisi: sanctions, terrorism, war are the result of unilateralism

NEW YORK, Sep.20, (ST)-Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday that sanctions, terrorism, war and bloodshed are the result of unilateralism, adding that the United Nations should not only represent powerful countries.

The Iranian president made the remark as he arrived in the US city of New York to attend the 77th Summit of the UN General Assembly.

He said that the United Nations should represent all countries, not powerful nations, adding that there are a series of global issues that can be addressed in gatherings such as the General Assembly summit, according to IRNA.

Raisi said that those issues include sanctions which big powers are using as a tool to pressure other nations. “The targeted countries would reciprocate and that would create a situation threatening peace and tranquility.”

The Iranian president said that another issue that should be addressed is terrorism and the support for it, as well as war and bloodshed, which everybody is opposed to.

Raisi said that all of these issues are the result of unilateralism and must be resolved through collective wisdom.

The Iranian president is heading a high-ranking delegation comprising of Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Deputy for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani — who is also the top Iranian nuclear negotiator — among others.

Before departing Tehran for New York, Raisi said that “no meetings will be held with the US officials” during his five-day visit, according to Fares News Agency.

“Presence in the UNGA is an opportunity for expressing the viewpoints of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This is a chance that should be grasped to voice out oppression maintained against the great Iranian nation,” he told reporters.

“Sanctions and threats cannot stop the Iranian nation,” Raisi stressed.

World leaders are set to address the 77th UNGA Summit from September 20 to 26.

Compiled by: Basma Qaddour