Russia says it is not pressuring Iran and blames US for war
Russia is not pressuring Iran to return to negotiations to end the war with the United States, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said on Thursday (20/8).
He said Iran must make its own decisions as a sovereign state.
At a press conference at UN headquarters in New York, Nebenzya was asked whether Moscow was using its close relationship with Iran to push the Iranian government back to the negotiating table with the United States. He stressed that Russia does not put pressure on anyone, whether Iran or any other country.
“Russia, in principle, does not put pressure on anyone, whether Iran or any other country. Iran is a sovereign state and they make their own decisions,” Nebenzya said.
He said Russia has discussed the conflict with Iran, but rejected the notion that Tehran is responsible for the outbreak or continuation of the war.
Nebenzya instead blamed the United States for “reckless and unprovoked aggression” against Iran. According to him, the conflict did not stem from any action or omission by Iran.
“I do not think that Iran is the one that withdrew from fulfilling the agreement reached between the United States and Iran with the help of mediators,” he said.
“So, I do not think we should blame Iran for this,” Nebenzya added.
When asked about US President Donald Trump’s statement about a new campaign to isolate Iran’s economy and impose consequences on countries that still maintain relations with Tehran, including possibly Russia, Nebenzya said Moscow is already accustomed to facing such pressure.
“We have seen so many sanctions and promises to isolate the Russian economy so often that we do not pay much attention to them,” he said.
Nebenzya said Russia has adapted to various previous waves of Western sanctions and will be able to cope with additional measures.
“I think we will be able to overcome them. Do not worry about the Russian economy,” he said.
Regarding Trump’s proposal to make the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States, he noted that Trump has previously made a number of claims or proposals regarding territories in various parts of the world.
“President Trump claims a great many territories around the world,” he said, referring to Trump’s statements about Venezuela and Greenland.
“President Trump is the master of his own words. Let us see how he plans to make them a reality,” he added.