NEWS

26.06.2019 | Russia vows to defend 'ally' Iran in menacing threat as Trump signs off damaging sanctions
Source - The Daily Express

In the face of new sanctions levied against Iran, Russia has insisted that it will continue to support the country. Moreover, the Kremlin also vindicated Iran for the shooting down of a US spy drone last week. Speaking on Tuesday, Russian National Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, was the sole defender of Iran in historic talks between the US, Israel and Russia.

In an interview with state-run Tass Russian News Agency, Mr Patrushev said: “In the context of the statements made by our partners with regard to a major regional power.

“I would like to say the following: Iran has always been and remains our ally and partner, with which we are consistently developing relations both on bilateral basis and within multilateral formats.

“This is why we believe that it is inadmissible to describe Iran as the major threat to the regional security and, moreover, to put it on par with the Islamic State or any other terrorist organisation.”

The news of Russia’s publicly stated support for Iran, comes as US President Donald Trump confirmed sanctions against the Islamic Republic on Monday.

The sanctions come in the wake of Iran downing a US drone which they insisted had flown over their territory.

Although the US denied that the drone had entered Iranian territory, the event was the latest in a series of flashpoints between the two countries.

Earlier this month, the US had accused Iran of two separate attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

In light of the decision, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani labelled the decision as “idiotic”, while also insisting that the White House was “afflicted by mental retardation”.

Iran’s Economic Minister Farhad Dejpasandsadi said: “We have our plans and options to counter the enemy’s pressure and sanctions.

“But I will not reveal more details about our plans.”

Despite tensions between the two countries at a low point, national security adviser, John Bolton, has insisted that Washington is still ready to talk to Tehran.

Mr Bolton said: “The President has held the door open to real negotiations to completely and verifiably eliminate Iran’s nuclear weapons programme, its ballistic missile delivery systems, its support for international terrorism and other malign behaviour worldwide.”


| | | Add to chosen
Search
Subscribe
Центр миру, конверсії та зовнішньої політики України
Інститут євро-атлантичного співробітництва
Центр "Україна - Європейський вибір"
Defense Express
Центр європейських та трансатлантичних студій

Rambler's Top100 Rambler's Top100


Міжнародний фонд відродження Project is realized with support from The International Міжнародний фонд відродження Project is realized with support from the NATO Information © 2004 - 2024. ЄВРОАТЛАНТИКА.UA
All rights reserved

This project was funded, in part, through Grant the opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed herein are those of the Author (s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of State.
На головну Анонси подій Новини Аналітика Топ новини та коментарі Мережа експертів Про проект