Iran Welcomes Syria Sanctions Relief, Urges End to ’Israeli’ Occupation

By Staff, Agencies

Iran has welcomed the decision by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom to ease unilateral sanctions on Syria, calling it a "long overdue" yet "positive" development.

Speaking at the UN Security Council session on “The situation in the Middle East: (Syria)” in New York, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts in Syria must not be politicized.

“We call for the full and unconditional lifting of all unilateral sanctions. These illegal measures violate the UN Charter and international law,” Iravani stated.

Emphasizing that over 16 million Syrians remain in urgent need of humanitarian aid, Iravani said any easing of sanctions must lead to real improvements in living conditions.

He also stressed that sanctions relief should support the return of refugees and the rebuilding of Syria’s infrastructure and economy.

The Iranian diplomat also criticized the instrumentalization of humanitarian suffering for political objectives, calling for the international community to ensure that aid delivery is depoliticized and guided solely by humanitarian needs.

He reiterated Iran’s firm stance in support of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemning the presence of foreign troops in the country.

He also specifically criticized the occupation of the Syrian Golan by "Israel", slamming it as a violation of international law and Security Council Resolution 497 (1981).

Referring to the May 2 airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus and hundreds of similar strikes since the collapse of the Syrian government in December, Iravani denounced "Israel’s" actions as war crimes.

He accused the US of enabling these attacks and said they were designed to perpetuate instability for strategic gain.

Iravani also said that the ongoing foreign military presence in northeastern and southern Syria continues to pose a threat to peace and stability, demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all illegal forces from Syrian territory.