Rouhani Sees Blocking Int’l Humanitarian Aids to Iran as Crime

TEHRAN (defapress)- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani deplored the US for blocking humanitarian aids to the flood-stricken people in Iran as an "unprecedented crime".

News ID: 76597

Date: 04 April 2019 - 19:06

In a meeting with cabinet members, government officials and lawmakers in Tehran on Wednesday, President Rouhani called on the Iranian foreign ministry and legal bodies to find out why the Iranian expatriates are unable to dispatch their aids to Iran.

He said that the US' move to prevent the flow of humanitarian aid to Iran as a "bad and unprecedented crime".

The Iranian president, meantime, appreciating the efforts made by ministers, provincial governors and other officials in dealing with the recent floods, and said, "All officials provided round-the-clock services to the Iranian people."

The US has blocked Red Crescent’s accounts and hampered issuing humanitarian aids from other countries to Iranian flood-stricken people.

In relevant remarks earlier on Wednesday, President Rouhani lashed out at Washington for blocking the banking accounts of Iran's Red Crescent Society which is now aiding the flooded people in different parts of the country.

"In this incident (floods), the enemies who prevented the Iranian expatriates from sending aid to their countrymen by blocking the Red Crescent Society's accounts have become disgraced," the Iranian president said in a meeting with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on the occasion of Eid al-Maba'ath, also participated by other Iranian officials and a large group of people.

He further mentioned that the US administration has not yet been able to compensate for the damages inflicted on the American people in the recent floods in the country.

"But everyone will see that the people and officials in dear Iran will reconstruct the rubbles again," President Rouhani said.

Elsewhere, he referred to US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize annexation of occupied Golan Heights to Israel, saying that the holy Quds will never be turned into a base for aggressors and the Golan Heights will never be separated from Syria either.

And no one will be able to force the Iranian nation to surrender to the Zionist regime which is like a cancerous tumor in the region, he added.

In relevant remarks on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message slammed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his untrue statement that Washington is seeking to help the flood-hit people of Iran.

"Real news as @ICRC President noted, Iranian Red Crescent cannot receive any funds due to illegal US sanctions. US should own up to its ECONOMIC TERRORISM," Zarif wrote on his Twitter page.

The Iranian foreign minister categorically dismissed Pompeo's claims that the US was sympathizing with the flood-hit Iranians, and said that Washington should be accountable to its economic terrorism.

Unprecedented heavy rains caused floods in various parts of Iran over the past two weeks. Scores of people were killed and injured and a large number were displaced across Iran.

"FAKE NEWS: @SecPompeo claim that US 'ready to assist @ifrc, which would direct money through Iranian Red Crescent for relief," Zarif added.

Also, on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said the US had blocked Red Crescent’s accounts and hampered issuing humanitarian aids from other countries to Iranian flood-stricken people.

"The US act which happened on the occasion of the anniversary of its withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an indication of US officials’ anti-popular approach which is in contrast with their ridiculous slogans and claims saying sanctions are not against the Iranian people, but in favor of them," the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman added.

He reiterated that the US in an inhumane and cruel approach had blocked all humanitarian assistance to flood-hit people.

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