Iran Blasts US Oppressive Sanctions, Says Hinders Aid to Afghan People

Baqayee Hamaneh made the remarks at the 72nd session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme (4 – 8 October 2021), which is held at UN headquarters in Geneva to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

The Iranian envoy stressed the need to form an inclusive government in Afghanistan that represents all the people of Afghanistan, including all ethnicities and religions, that respects human rights and behaves based on good neighborliness with neighboring countries.

He also pointed to the negative consequences of military intervention in Afghanistan, and added, “The Afghan people under such circumstances deserve international understanding and support. No humanitarian aid will replace lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, and the international community must properly fulfill its responsibility to protect the Afghan people.”

Baqayee Hamaneh said that the negative consequences of oppressive US sanctions affect the capabilities of host countries to support Afghan refugees and prevent the realization of the principle of humanitarian solidarity in helping the Afghan people.

He reiterated that the unilateral US sanctions have seriously endangered a lot of the humanitarian efforts to meet the needs of Afghan refugees.

Baqayee Hamaneh called on the United States to be part of the solution, not the problem.

Afghanistan relies on Iran for transit routes and imports, including fuel. According to customs officials, all Iranian borders with Afghanistan have reopened and goods are transiting safely.

In a relevant development last month, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei underlined that Iran would continue to support the Afghan people.