By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer

     

To be sanctioned by the US is indeed a privilege for an independent country, and a blessing in disguise to fully mobilize its national resources as well as international relations to achieve self-sufficiency in almost all fields.

Sanctions rarely slow down the progress, let alone halt, of a nation determined to defeat them, and as the Islamic Republic of Iran has shown over the past four decades US economic terrorism is a golden opportunity for dazzling developments.

These undeniable facts were emphasized on Monday in Tehran by both the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the President during their meetings with the visiting head of another US-sanctioned country, Belarus.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei who granted audience yesterday to Alexander Lukashenko, said: “Sanctions have provided many grounds for progress and our country succeeded in making eye-catching advances in various fields, including science and technology, medicine and biology, aerospace, [as well as] nuclear [science] and nano[technology].”

He discussed various grounds of cooperation with Belarus president, including the speeding up of the North-South Corridor that connects Eastern Europe and Central Asia through the land bridge called Iran, with the international waters of the Indian Ocean and the countries on its rim.

Once this trade-transit route becomes fully operational it will bring economic bonanza for the Islamic Republic all those using it, unfazed by the illegal sanctions of the US.

Ayatollah Khamenei added: “Countries sanctioned by the US must destroy the weapon of sanctions through cooperation with one another and forming a common group. We believe this is possible.” 

For his part, President Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi during his press conference Alexander Lukashenko after their meeting, said the Islamic Republic has turned the threats posed by unilateral sanctions into an opportunity to make significant progress.

“We have made remarkable progress in the face of sanctions and threats, and we are ready to share our experiences with our friend Belarus,” he added.

Lukashenko spoke in a similar tone, saying: “It is a fact that no sanctions and pressure could stop Iran from progressing and a strong Iran continues to progress. Many documents were signed today, if we implement all of them, we can increase significantly our bilateral trade.”

Countries sanctioned by a desperate Washington which is fast turning into a loser worldwide, not just include Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea, and others besides the Islamic Republic of Iran, but also Russia and China, which are global giants determined to turn the US into a defeated dwarf.