Rouhani: Weak Iran less able to fight trafficking

TEHERAN: President Hassan Rouhani warned Western countries that they will face a massive influx of drugs if Iran becomes weakened by US sanctions.

Rouhani spoke in Teheran yesterday at a six-nation conference on fighting terrorism attended by parliament speakers of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, China and Russia.

In remarks broadcast on state TV, Rouhani said a weakened Iran would be less able to fight drug trafficking.

“Weakening Iran by sanctions, many will not be safe,” he said.

“Those who do not believe us, it is good to look at the map.”

Iran lies on a major drug route between Afghanistan and Europe and the Persian Gulf states.