YouSaid · the spoken record

Hassan Rouhani

lines on the record: 144
first: 2013-09-24
most recent: 2020-09-24
sittings or episodes: 8
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Dignity and prosperity of our nation are essential for us; and they are attained through diplomacy relying on national will coupled with resilience. We are not a bargaining chip in U.S. elections and domestic policy. Any U.S. administration after the upcoming elections will have no choice but to surrender to the resilience of the Iranian nation. And for the world: Today is the time to say “no” to bullying and arrogance. The era of dominance and hegemony is long over. Our nations and children deserve a better and safer world based on the rule of law. Now is the time for the right choice. I thank you for your attention.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“And simultaneously claim to be seeking negotiations and a “big deal”? The United States can impose neither negotiations, nor war on us. Life is hard under sanctions. However, harder, is life without independence. Political freedom at home is important. We—as the oldest democracy in the Middle East—are proud of our people determining their destiny and will not trade domestic freedom with foreign interference. Democracy is the sovereign right of a nation, and not the right of interference by an outsider — let alone a terrorist and interventionist outsider that remains captive to the illusions of 19 August 1953, when its predecessors overthrew the only democracy in the Middle East through a coup d’etat.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Here, I should express our appreciation to the presidents of the Security Council for the months of August and September 2020, as well as to thirteen of its members — especially Russia and China — who twice said a decisive and resounding “NO” to the unlawful US attempt to exploit the Council and its Resolution 2231 (2015). This is a victory not just for Iran, but for the global community — during the transitional international order in the post-Western world — that an aspirant of hegemony is humiliated in such self-created isolation. Ladies and Gentlemen Where can you find precedent for a government to renege, without any reason, on the outcome of 13 years of multilateral talks — also attended by its predecessor, shamelessly violate a resolution of the Security Council and even punish others for abiding by a UNSC resolution?”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“• They speak of human rights, while they have targeted — through their “maximum pressure” — heath, welfare and even the right to life of all Iranians. • They are directly involved — along with their regional accomplices — in every single case of occupation, war, and aggression — be it in Palestine, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, or Somalia. Yet they blame Iran for their own inevitable defeats in confronting the will of the people of the region. • They have sold hundreds of billions of dollars of weapons to their clients turning our region into a powder keg. Yet, they try in vain to deprive Iran of its minimum defense requirements, and disregard international law and global consensus in order to extend arms restrictions against Iran in contravention of the letter of UNSCR 2231.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Actions are: • They claimed they came to our region to fight Saddam Hussein—the very monster they had themselves created, nurtured, and financed in his imposed war against Iran, equipping him with chemical weapons and the most sophisticated war machine. • They boast to be fighting terrorism and Daesh, while it is, they themselves, who created this terror network. And they have the audacity to expect regional gratitude for such behavior. • They accuse us — without any foundation — of trying to build nuclear weapons, and they impose sanctions on others under the pretext of nuclear proliferation. This is while they have the infamy of being the sole user of atomic bombs in the history of humanity; and while the only possessor of nuclear weapons in West Asia is running their non-proliferation theatre.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Our assassinated hero, Martyred General Soleimani, was the champion of the fight against violent extremism in the Middle East and fought to protect all citizens of this region — religious or secular, Muslim or Christian, Shia or Sunni — against medieval reactionaries. • And in 2015, we achieved the JCPOA as one of the biggest accomplishments of the history of diplomacy and remained faithful to it in spite of persistent violations by the United States. Mr. President Such a nation does not deserve sanctions. The response to peace is not war. The reward for combatting extremism is not assassination. The reaction to the choice of people through the ballot box in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon is not outside agitation and support for non-democratic processes and street riots. Words and claims are not our yardstick.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“• We never ignored occupation, genocide, forced displacement and racism in Palestine and we never made a deal over the Holy Quds and the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. And in 2012, we presented a democratic solution through referendum in Palestine. • We vociferously called for justice against aggression for the besieged people of Yemen and presented a four-point peace plan at the outset of hostilities in 2015. • We fought alone against extremists and Daesh terrorists — who claimed to be fighting for Islam — in this sensitive region of the world; so that the international community would recognize the true face of Islam: the moderate and rational Islam; and not extremism and demagoguery.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We supported all Iraqis — whether Kurd or Arab, Sunni or Shia, Yazidi or Christian — and supported democratic achievements of Iraqi people from the Governing Council in 2003 to all elected governments since. • We stood alongside the people of Syria against tens of terrorist Takfiri groups, separatists and foreign fighters. We presented our four-point peace plan— centered on self-determination by the Syrian people — in 2013 when others were seeking a military solution. In 2016, we formed the Astana process — in partnership with Russia and Turkey — aimed at achieving peace and political stability in Syria. • We stood with the people and government of Lebanon against Zionist occupiers, domestic warmongers and foreign plotters.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“• In the Mid 1980’s, we called for collective security arrangements in the Persian Gulf, even as all global and regional powers were backing Saddam Hussein’s “tanker war”. In 2013, we proposed World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE), which was unanimously adopted by this Assembly. In 2018, we offered a nonaggression pact to our neighbors and in 2019 we presented HOPE (Hormuz Peace Endeavor) to this General Assembly in an effort to enhance peace and stability in the Persian Gulf. • We were the first country in the region to stand with the people and government of Kuwait against occupation by Saddam; and it was Iran that foiled his dream of dominating all his former Arab allies. • We stood with the people of Iraq against Saddam tyranny, U.S. occupation and Daesh savagery.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“We instantly recognize the feet kneeling on the neck as the feet of arrogance on the neck of independent nations. For decades, the valiant Iranian nation has paid a similar high price for its quest for freedom and liberation from domination and despotism. However, the Iranian nation has not only resisted the pressure, but flourished and advanced while persistently pursuing its historical and civilizational role as the axis of peace and stability, the harbinger of dialog and tolerance and the champion of the fight against occupation and extremism: • We stood with the people of Afghanistan against Soviet occupiers, domestic warlords, extremists, Al-Qaeda terrorists and American occupiers. And we played a pivotal role in all peace and reconciliation processes, be it the 2001 Bonn Conference or regional initiatives.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“This universal plague that has crossed over the fabricated boundaries of power and wealth reminds us, once again as members of human society, that it would be impossible to confront common global issues without global participation. All of us across the globe are experiencing difficult times during the pandemic. However, my nation, the resilient people of Iran, instead of enjoying global partnership and cooperation, is grappling with the harshest sanctions in history imposed in blatant and gross violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international agreements and Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015). The footage broadcast to the world concerning the treatment of an African American by the U.S. police is reminiscent of our own experience.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In spite of its tiny size, COVID-19 managed to challenge global management and national governance so seriously that the world’s most significant assembly is convening virtually through videoconference. COVID-19 is now a “common pain” for humanity — thanks to the rapid growth of science, technology and the media. This common pain has demonstrated that despite all progress, our ignorance as humans far outweighs our knowledge. COVID-19 is calling us to more humility and humbleness before the Almighty and the Truth of Creation. It is guiding human societies towards civil piety in promoting social and individual ethics as well as preventing environmental degradation and manipulation of nature and unhindered interference in the Creation.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful All praise belongs to the Almighty God and peace and blessing upon His prophet and his household and companions Mr. President I am delighted to congratulate you, as the representative of our fraternal neighbor, Turkey, on your well-deserved election as the President of the Seventy-Fifth Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Allow me to wish every success for you, the honorable Secretary General and all your colleagues in your efforts to realize the goals and objectives of the United Nations. Excellencies The people of the world, having taken God-given blessings of health and security for-granted, were suddenly shaken by the outbreak of COVID-19.”
2020-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 75 (2020)
“Let us return to justice, peace, law, commitment and promise and, ultimately, to the negotiating table.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The United States has failed to resolve the issues in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria and has been the supporter of extremism, Talibanism and Da’eshism. Such a Government is clearly unable to resolve today’s more sophisticated issues. Our region is on the brink of collapse — a single blunder could fuel a conflagration. We will not tolerate the provocative intervention of foreigners. We will respond decisively and strongly to any transgression against, or violation of, our security and territorial integrity. However, the alternative and proper solution for us is to strengthen consolidation among all the nations with common interests in the Persian Gulf and the Hormuz region. This is the message of the Iranian nation: let us invest in hope towards a better future rather than in war and violence.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In fact, States do not delegate the power of attorney to other States and do not bestow custodianship on others. If the flames of the fire of Yemen have today spread to Hijaz, the warmonger should be sought and punished rather than levelling allegations and grudges against the innocent. The security of Saudi Arabia will be ensured through the termination of aggression against Yemen rather than by inviting foreigners. We are ready to exert our national strength, regional credibility and international authority. The solution for peace in the Arabian peninsula, security in the Persian Gulf and stability in the Middle East should be sought inside the region rather than outside it. The issues of the region are too great and important for the United States to be able to resolve.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The ultimate way to achieve peace and security in the Middle East involves inward democracy and outward diplomacy. Security cannot be purchased or supplied by foreign Governments. The peace, security and independence of our neighbours are our peace, security and independence. America is not our neighbour. It is the Islamic Republic of Iran that is the neighbour, and we have long been taught that neighbours come first, then comes the home. In the event of an incident, the international community and we will remain alone. We are neighbours with each other, not with the United States. The United States is located here, not in the Middle East. The United States is not the advocate of any nation, neither is it the guardian of any State.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The formation of any security coalition or initiative under any title in the region with the centrality and command of foreign forces is a clear example of interference in the affairs of the region. The securitization of navigation is in contravention of the right to free navigation and the right to development and will escalate tensions, further complicate conditions and increase the mistrust in the region while jeopardizing regional peace, security and stability. The security of our region will be realized when American troops pull out. Security will not be provided by American weapons and intervention. After 18 years, the United States has failed to reduce acts of terrorism. However, the Islamic Republic of Iran managed to terminate the scourge of Da’esh with the assistance of neighbouring nations and Governments.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The coalition for hope is based on important principles, such as compliance with the goals and principles of the United Nations, mutual respect, an equal footing, dialogue, understanding, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, the inviolability of international borders and the peaceful settlement of all disputes, as well as, more importantly, the two fundamental principles of non-aggression and non-interference in the domestic affairs of each other. The presence of the United Nations seems necessary so as to establish an international umbrella in support of the coalition for hope. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran will provide more details of the coalition for hope to the beneficiary States (see S/PV.8626).”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“In line with the historical responsibility of my country in maintaining security, peace, stability and progress in the Persian Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz, I should like to invite all countries directly affected by the developments in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz to the coalition for hope within the Hormuz Peace Endeavour. The goal of the coalition for hope is to promote peace, stability, progress and welfare for all residents of the Strait of Hormuz region and to enhance mutual understanding and peaceful and friendly relations among them. The initiative includes various areas for cooperation, such as the collective supply of energy security, freedom of navigation and the free transfer of oil and other resources to and from the Strait of Hormuz and beyond.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Iran’s gross domestic product without oil has again become positive in recent months and the country’s trade balance remains positive. The security doctrine of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on maintaining peace and stability in the Persian Gulf and on providing freedom of navigation and safety of movement in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent incidents have seriously endangered such security. Security and peace in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz could be provided with the participation of the countries of the region and the free flow of oil and other energy resources could be guaranteed provided that we consider security as an umbrella in all areas for all the countries.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“If members stand by their word that they have only one demand for Iran, that is, the non-production and non-utilization of nuclear weapons, that could easily be attained under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency and, more importantly, with a fatwa of the Iranian leader. Instead of a show of negotiation, there should a return to the reality of negotiation. Memorial photographs are at the last stage of negotiations, not the first. Despite all the obstructions created by the United States Government, we in Iran remain on the path of economic and social growth and prosperity. In 2017 Iran’s economy registered the highest economic growth rate in the world. Today, despite fluctuations emanating from foreign interference in the past year and a half, we have returned to the track of growth and stability.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“If members of the General Assembly require a positive answer, the only way for talks to begin is to return to commitments and compliance, as declared by the leader of the Islamic Revolution. If there is sensitivity to the name the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, there should be a return to its framework and compliance with Security Council resolution 2231 (2015). Stop the sanctions so as to open the way for the start of negotiations. I would like to make it crystal clear: if the minimum is satisfactory, we will also content ourselves with the minimum, on either side. However, if more is required, more should also be paid.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“When the United States does not respect the resolutions of the Security Council and Europe cannot act, the only option left is to rely on national dignity, pride and strength. They call us to negotiations while they run away from treaties and deals. We negotiated with the current United States Administration at the negotiating table with the Security Council permanent five, Germany and the European Union, but it failed to honour the commitment made by its predecessor. On behalf of my nation and State, I want to announce that our response to any negotiations conducted under sanctions is negative. The Government and people of Iran have remained steadfast against extremely harsh sanctions in the past year and a half and will never negotiate with an enemy that seeks to make Iran surrender with the weapons of poverty, pressure and sanctions.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Despite the United States withdrawal from the JCPOA, for a full year Iran remained fully faithful to all of its nuclear commitments under the agreement. Out of respect for the Security Council’s resolution, we provided Europe with the opportunity to fulfil its 11 commitments in compensation for the United States’ withdrawal. Unfortunately, however, we heard only beautiful words and witnessed no effective measures. It is now clear to all that the United States reneges on all of its commitments, and that Europe is unable, indeed incapable, of fulfilling its commitments. We even adopted a step-by-step approach in implementing paragraphs 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, and we remain committed to our promises in the deal. However, there is a limit to our patience.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“How can one believe in that in the face of the silent killing of a great nation and efforts to exert pressure on the lives of 83 million Iranians — particularly women and children — by United States officials, who pride themselves on such pressures and have become addicted to exploiting sanctions against a spectrum of countries that includes Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, China and Russia? The Iranian nation will never forget or forgive those crimes and criminals. The attitude of the current United States Administration to the nuclear deal, otherwise known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), not only violates the provisions of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) but also constitutes a breach of the sovereignty and political and economic independence of all the world’s countries.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“While imposing extraterritorial sanctions and threats on other nations, the United States Government, has tried very hard to deprive Iran of the advantages of participation in the global economy and has resorted to international piracy by misusing the international banking system. We Iranians have been pioneers for freedom-seeking movements in the region while seeking peace and progress for our own nation as well as our neighbours. We have never surrendered to foreign aggression or imposition. We cannot believe in an invitation to negotiations from people who claim to have applied the harshest sanctions in history to the detriment of the dignity and prosperity of our nation.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“That approach is clearly exemplified in our cooperation on the Syrian crisis with Russia and Turkey in the Astana format, and our peace proposal for Yemen, based on our active cooperation with the Special Envoys of the Secretary-General, as well as our efforts to facilitate reconciliation talks among the parties in Yemen with four European countries, which resulted in the conclusion of the Stockholm Agreement on Al-Hudaydah port. I come from a country that has resisted the most merciless economic terrorism and defended its right to independence and the development of science and technology.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The Middle East is burning amid the flames of war, bloodshed, aggression, occupation and religious and sectarian fanaticism and extremism, a situation in which the oppressed people of Palestine are the biggest victims, as acts of discrimination, the expropriation of land, settlement expansion and killings continue against them. The plans that the United States and the Zionists have imposed on them, such as the deal of the century that recognized Beit Al-Maqdis as the capital of the Zionist regime and the addition of the Syrian Golan to the other occupied territories, are certainly doomed. In the face of issues such as the destructive plans of the United States, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s regional and international assistance and cooperation on security and counter-terrorism have been quite decisive.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“I would like to congratulate the President on his well-deserved election to lead the General Assembly at its seventy-fourth session, and to wish him and the Secretary-General good luck and every success. At the outset, I want to commemorate the freedom-seeking movement of Hossein and pay homage to all the seekers of freedom of the world who do not bow to oppression or aggression and who tolerate all the hardships of the struggle for rights, as well as to the spirits of all the oppressed martyrs of terrorist strikes and bombings in Yemen, Syria, occupied Palestine, Afghanistan and other countries, including Iraq.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We fought against the Ba’ath Party of Iraq before it occupied Kuwait. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the same State that was at the forefront of the struggle against Taliban terrorism and gave up martyrs in that struggle. We fought against Al-Qaida and the Taliban before the attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the same State that fought against Da’esh, a fake, distorted representation of Islam. We were engaged in the fight against Da’esh before its operations in Paris, London and Brussels. Appreciate those historical realities regarding Iran, stop imposing sanctions and end extremism. The world does not have a better friend than Iran, if peace is what it seeks.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz has always been important for us and, just as we upheld their security during the war imposed on us by Iraq, we will confront any disruptive effort regarding that critical waterway in the future. We espouse a peaceful view on political and international issues and have not sought, and do not seek, war with any country. Iran does not need an empire. Iran is an empire in terms of civilization and culture, not through political domination. Iran has served as the link between East and West and will continue to do so, remaining a meticulous guardian for a world free from violence. The Islamic Republic of Iran is the same State that understood the fascist nature of the Ba’athist regime in Iraq before anyone else in the world and bravely resisted its aggression against us.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The expansion of relations with neighbours and the creation of a more secure and more developed region are among the main priorities of Iran’s foreign policy. A few weeks ago Iran, along with the other four coastal States of the region, signed the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, which will strengthen good-neighbourliness and bring about prosperity and progress for all of the coastal States. We also desire the same relations with our southern neighbours in the Persian Gulf. We believe in the formation of a collective mechanism for the Persian Gulf region, with the presence and participation of all regional countries.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“To that end, we are ready to assist in any possible way. The most pressing crisis in the Middle East, however, is the question of Palestine. The passage of time cannot, and must not, justify occupation. The innumerable crimes of Israel against the Palestinians would not have been possible without the material and military assistance and political and propaganda support of the United States. Israel, equipped with a nuclear arsenal and blatantly threatening others with nuclear annihilation, presents the most daunting threat to regional and global peace and stability. The abhorrent United States decision to transfer its Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and the recent enactment of the racist Jewish State law are violations of international law and norms, as well as unmistakable manifestations of apartheid.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Iran, Russia and Turkey, in cooperation with the Government of Syria and other Syrian parties, have succeeded through the Astana process, the third summit meeting of which took place in Tehran earlier this month, in playing a positive role and reducing tension in Syria. Their last joint effort prevented escalation and bloodshed in the Idlib region. We have witnessed a tragic humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen over the past three years, which has caused the destruction of infrastructure, the death and injury of hundreds of thousands of people, the displacement of millions of innocent civilians, widespread famine and chronic disease. Those inhumane acts represent clear examples of crimes against humanity and war crimes. The crisis in Yemen can be resolved only through intra-Yemeni talks and without foreign interference.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In that regard, from the very beginning of the crisis in Syria we have warned against any foreign intervention in the internal affairs of that country and the use of unlawful means, including supporting extremist and terrorist groups, in order to exert pressure on the Government of Syria. We have consistently emphasized that the crisis can be resolved only through intra-Syrian dialogue. To that end, the presence of our military advisers in Syria has been at the request of the Syrian Government, is consistent with international law and has aimed to assist the Syrian Government in combating extremist terrorism.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We welcome the strong statement from the Security Council on this issue. But why can the leaders of those terrorist operations, including the organization that has publicly claimed responsibility for Saturday’s crime, live and operate freely in Western countries, and even openly solicit funds? Are those activities not in violation of international counter-terrorism norms? Why have the official State financiers of anti-Iranian terrorist organizations, with their record of financing Al-Qaida, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham and the Al-Nusra Front, not only been spared any punishment but are also supported and armed? If the United States wants the world’s public to take its claim of fighting terrorism seriously, it is imperative that it start a joint global campaign to fight that scourge, irrespective of the victims or culprits.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“What Iran is saying is clear: no war, no sanctions, no threats and no bullying, just acting in accordance with the law and the fulfilment of obligations. We support peace and democracy in the entire Middle East. We consider nuclear knowledge an imperative and nuclear weapons prohibited. As victims of terrorism in the past and today, we have always been and will always remain at the forefront of genuine confrontation of terrorism. Today we mourn the martyrdom of the dozens of innocent people who were murdered on Saturday in cold blood by terrorists who shamelessly accepted responsibility from a number of Western capitals for their heinous crime in interviews with Western-based broadcasting outfits that are financed by petrodollars. We in Iran have unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism and will continue to do so.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“For dialogue to take place, there is no need for a photo opportunity. The two sides can listen to each other right here in the Assembly. I am starting the dialogue right here and state, in unequivocal terms, that the question of international security is not a toy for American domestic politics. The United Nations is not a part of the United States Administration. Dialogue can resume in the Assembly from the same point at which it stopped and by the same person who left the dialogue table and walked away from the accord. Beginning that dialogue starts with the ending of threats and unjust sanctions that negate the principles of ethics and international law. Our proposal is clear: commitment for commitment, violation for violation, threat for threat and step for step, instead of talk for talk.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“However, dialogue is two- way; it should be based on equality, justice and human integrity and honour and conducted in accordance with the rules and norms of international law. Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) is not merely a piece of paper. We invite the United States to return to that resolution and come back to the negotiating table it left. If the United States dislikes the JCPOA because it is the legacy of its domestic political rivals, then we invite it to return to that Security Council resolution. We invite that country to remain in international institutions and implore it not to engage in imposing sanctions. Sanctions and extremism are two sides of the same coin. Extremism involves negating the thinking of others, and sanctions negate the life and prosperity of people.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“Policies of engagement and cooperation with Iran have produced positive outcomes for other nations, as best reflected in Iran’s cooperation with friendly countries in the fight against terrorism. The United States understanding of international relations is authoritarian. In its estimation, might makes right. Its understanding of power, not of legal and legitimate authority, is reflected in its bullying and imposition. No State or nation can be brought to the negotiating table by force and, if so, what follows is an accumulation of the grapes of wrath in those nations, which is later reaped by the oppressors. We concur that ultimately there is no better alternative to dialogue.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The Iranian people have demonstrated their unwavering resilience over the past 40 years, despite the difficulties and constraints caused by sanctions, and have also shown that they can overcome such difficult periods. The multi-millennial history of our country demonstrates that Iran and Iranians have never broken in the face of a storm — not even been bowed. I state here, in clear, unambiguous terms, that the United States policy vis-à-vis the Islamic Republic of Iran has been wrong from the beginning, and its approach of resisting the wishes of the Iranian people, as manifested in numerous elections, is doomed to fail. Iran, with its historical and civilizational longevity, rich cultural heritage and foremost geopolitical position is an undeniable reality.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“We appreciate the efforts of the international community, the European Union, Russia and China in supporting the implementation of the JCPOA and for considering the full realization of the commitments stipulated in it a precondition for the survival of that significant accomplishment of diplomacy. Unlawful unilateral sanctions constitute a form of economic terrorism and a breach of the right to development. The economic war that the United States has initiated under the rubric of new sanctions not only targets the Iranian people, but will also have harmful repercussions for the people of other countries. Moreover, that war has caused a disruption to the state of global trade.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The United Nations should not allow its decisions to fall victim to the domestic elections and propaganda games of some of its Members and should not allow any Member State to dodge the execution of its international commitments. Moreover, the United States also pressures other countries to violate the nuclear accord. More dangerously, the United States is threatening all countries and international organizations with punishment if they comply with Security Council resolution 2231 (2015). It is the first time in the history of the United Nations that such a general invitation to violate the law has been coupled with threatening law-abiders with punishment. That is not unique to the JCPOA; it is a pattern that even applies to the United States approach to the International Criminal Court.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“It was unanimously approved through the adoption of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) and codified into an international obligation. The resolution calls on all countries and international and regional organizations to support the implementation of the JCPOA and refrain from any actions that would undermine the implementation of commitments under the JCPOA. According to 12 consecutive reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has thus far complied with all of its commitments. However, from the very beginning, the United States did not honour its obligations. The current Administration, resorting to flimsy excuses and in open violation of its commitments, finally withdrew from the accord.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of foreign policy has been based on multilateralism and compliance with the recognized principles of international law. Our respect for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the long and difficult negotiations with the five plus one group, which led to the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, is a clear illustration of that approach. We are pleased that the international community did not acquiesce to the United States Government’s unilateral and illegal withdrawal from the JCPOA and adopted a categorical position vis-à-vis that decision. The JCPOA was the outcome of more than a decade of diplomatic efforts and a period of intensive negotiations to resolve an artificial crisis.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“The Administration that is inviting Iran to engage in talks is not ready to consult its own experts or willing to recognize the requirements of a modern State, including the paramount principle of the continuity of State responsibility and, therefore, is openly violating the State obligations undertaken by its predecessor. On what basis and criteria can we enter into an agreement with an Administration that is guilty of such misconduct? Any talks should take place within the framework and in continuation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), and not within a framework of breaching such agreements and reverting to the past. It is ironic that the United States Government is not even concealing its plan to overthrow the same Government that it is inviting to talks.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“In that regard, confronting multilateralism is not a sign of strength; rather, it is the symptom of intellectual weakness and betrays an inability to understand a complex and interconnected world. Under such circumstances, the negligence or inefficacy of international institutions can endanger world peace. Those seeking dominance and hegemony are enemies of peace and are the perpetrators of war. The Government of the United States of America — at least the current Administration — seems determined to render all international institutions ineffectual. That Government, having withdrawn from a multilateral agreement adopted by the Security Council, in contravention of the rules and norms of international law, has invited the Islamic Republic of Iran to bilateral talks.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“However, it is unfortunate that we are seeing rulers in the world who think that they can better secure their own interests, and who, at least in the short term, ride public sentiment and gain popular support by fomenting extremist nationalism, racism and xenophobic tendencies that resemble a Nazi disposition, while trampling global norms and undermining international institutions, even through preposterous and anomalous acts such as convening a high-level meeting of the Security Council. The illusion that one can aspire to securing greater peace and security at the cost of denying others that same peace and security should be cast aside once and for all. We should not allow any breathing space for or the development of a line of thinking that holds others to ransom through the artificial creation of insecurity.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)
“I take this opportunity to congratulate you, Madam, on your election to the presidency of the General Assembly at its seventy-third session. We have assembled here today as the world is suffering from the recklessness of and disregard by some States for international values and institutions. We are here because the preservation of interests and security in the world in the least costly manner is possible only through the cooperation of and coordination among countries.”
2018-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 73 (2018)