Iran issues foreign policy statement, defends regional role
Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, after decades of dictatorship, dependence on foreign powers and constant interference of those powers in Iran’s internal affairs, Iranian foreign policy has been developed and implemented based on principles of international law and international rules and conventions, says a statement issued by Iran.
The statement said: “Even before the Islamic Revolution, the United States sponsored a coup against the democratically elected government of Iran in 1953, thereby showing its constant historic enmity with democracy and its support for dictators. The US has defined its interest in generating and aggravating regional disputes, and exacerbating conflict and insecurity to fuel an arms race and create bigger markets for its weapons. On the other hand, Iran has identified its regional interests with good-neighborliness, and peace and stability in the highly sensitive Persian Gulf region.
“Iran, while successfully establishing the highest standards of stability and security at home, has provided its advisory services to the people and security forces of Iraq and Syria, playing an indispensable role in combating terrorism, thwarting the Takfiri campaign to take over Damascus, Baghdad and Erbil, and helping uproot these groups from Iraq and Syria. The constructive role of our armed forces in combating terrorist groups has been instrumental in eradicating this scourge. It is unfortunate that, instead of discarding terrorism as a tool and joining Iran’s genuine counter- terrorism efforts, the United States continues to misportray these constructive efforts as destabilising.”
Responding to moves to blacklist Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the statement said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a branch of Iran’s armed forces, has an impeccable track record of containing Takfiri terrorism, restoring gradual tranquility for the people of the region and safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria.
“The Revolutionary Guards are regarded as national heroes for their role in the defence of
The statement said that experience had taught Iran that to protect its people, it must rely on indigenous capacities and not hesitate in developing the capability to meet the country’s legitimate defense needs. It is in this framework that Iran’s missile programme has a purely defensive and deterrent character.
Iranian territory against Saddam Hussein’ army. Any action by the U.S. administration or Congress against the IRGC will constitute a strategic mistake and will draw the indignation of the Iranian people and a strong and unified reciprocal reaction.”
The statement said that experience had taught Iran that to protect its people, it must rely on indigenous capacities and not hesitate in developing the capability to meet the country’s legitimate defense needs. It is in this framework that Iran’s missile programme has a purely defensive and deterrent character.
On the US threat to revoke the nuclear deal with Iran, the statement said the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) is a valid international instrument and an outstanding achievement in contemporary diplomacy. The claim by the US President regarding Iran’s non-compliance has no international relevance or credibility, since the IAEA, as the sole authority to conduct such monitoring and verification, has repeatedly confirmed Iran’s full compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA.
“Iran will not be the first to withdraw from the deal, but if its rights and interests in the deal are not respected, it will stop implementing all its commitments and will resume its peaceful nuclear program without any restrictions,” the statement said.