Iran condemns US sanctions on Iranian ambassador and other officials for "undermining Lebanon's sovereignty"
Tehran, May 22
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned US sanctions on Iranian ambassador-designate to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Rauf Sheibani and other Iranian officials, terming Washington's action as "illegal and unjustified".
This comes after the US sanctioned nine people, accusing them of enabling Hezbollah to "undermine Lebanon's sovereignty". The nine people include Hezbollah members, the Iranian ambassador-designate and other officials.
Iran accused the US of disregarding international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns the illegal and unjustified action of the US Treasury Department in sanctioning Mohammad Reza Rauf Sheibani, the ambassador-elect of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Beirut, and considers this action as another example of the US ruling body's rebellion and disregard for the indisputable principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, especially the fundamental principle of respecting the national sovereignty of states," Iran Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The Ministry also condemned the sanctioning of Hezbollah members and Lebanese security officials, accusing Washington of "weakening Lebanon's national sovereignty" and "inciting sedition in Lebanese society".
"These despicable actions are aimed at weakening Lebanon's national sovereignty and inciting sedition in Lebanese society, and are a sign of the continued complicity of the US ruling body with the aggressor and occupying Zionist regime in continuing military aggression and committing heinous crimes against Lebanon," the Ministry stated.
"Without a doubt, the various Lebanese groups and clans, by maintaining national unity and cohesion, will defend Lebanon's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and by repelling the aggression and ending the occupation of Lebanon, they will prevent the Zionist regime from achieving its sinister goals," they added. The
US Department of the Treasury, in a statement, said that the sanctioned individuals were "obstructing the peace process in Lebanon and impeding the disarmament" of Hezbollah.
According to the US Treasury Department, the nine individuals sanctioned include four members of Hezbollah, among them Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb Fanich, a leader in the group's executive council; Nizammeddine Fadlallah, an elected member of the Lebanese parliament affiliated with Hezbollah; and senior officials Ibrahim al-Moussawi and Hussein Al-Hajj Hassan.
The sanctions list also includes Iran's ambassador-designate to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, along with two security officials linked to the Hezbollah-allied Amal Movement -- Ahmad Asaad Baalbaki and Ali Ahmad Safawi.
Additionally, two Lebanese security officials were sanctioned for allegedly sharing "important intelligence" with Hezbollah over the past year, Al Jazeera reported, citing the US Treasury. They were identified as Samir Hamadi, a branch chief in the Lebanese Armed Forces, and Khattar Nasser Eldin, a senior official in the General Directorate for General Security.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's not about sovereignty. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that has been destabilizing Lebanon and the region. Iran uses them as a proxy. The US is right to sanction anyone who enables Hezbollah's activities. India should take note because we also face terrorism threats.
As an Indian, I see this as classic US overreach. They have no business interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs. Iran is a sovereign nation and has every right to have diplomatic relations with Lebanon. The double standards are glaring - US has no problem selling weapons to its allies in the region.
I'm torn on this. On one hand, I dislike US unilateral sanctions. On the other hand, Hezbollah is problematic. But isn't that for Lebanon to decide? The US should mind its own business. India has always advocated for non-interference in other countries' affairs.
Classic American move - they sanction everyone who doesn't bow to their will. Iran's statement about "rebellion against international law" is spot on. The US has been doing this for years - imposing sanctions like they're the world's police. India should learn from this and strengthen its own diplomatic independence.
The US Treasury clearly states these people obstructed peace in Lebanon. Hezbollah has weapons that should be under Lebanese government control. If Iran wants to be a responsible actor, they should help disarm Hezbollah, not support them. Sanctions are a tool to pressure Iran to change its behavior.
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