NOURNEWS - Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi blasted illegal US sanctions against Tehran, and said that such sanctions have undermined Iranian nation's health.
"Endangering the health and security of people with political aims is by no means legal, rather, it is a war crime and a crime against humanity," Takht Ravanchi said addressing a high-level meeting (HLM) of the UN General Assembly on HIV/AIDS.
He pointed to the progress made by Iran in the field of dealing with HIV and controlling the disease, and said that despite all scientific progress in this area, the Islamic Republic of Iran is still suffering from cruel unilateral sanctions of the US which are against UN Charter and international law.
He reiterated that the illegal sanctions have led to a reduction in the budget allocated to dealing with the HIV and have negatively affected the healthcare system, and said that the embargoes prevent the import of medical equipment and technology.
In relevant remarks earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a Twitter message blasted the US government for continuing its unilateral sanctions and economic terrorism against the Islamic Republic.
"Some 33 years ago today, US shot down #IranAir655, killing all 290 civilians aboard. As a young diplomat, I witnessed US refusal to apologize over the human tragedy it caused," Zarif tweeted on the occasion of the anniversary of the US shooting down of an Iranian passenger plane in 1988.
"The US violence against Iranians began long before and continues today with #EconomicTerrorism against our people," he added.
On July 3, 1988, the USS Vincennes fired missiles at an Iran Air Airbus A300B2 which was flying over the Strait of Hormuz from the port city of Bandar Abbas to Dubai, carrying 274 passengers and 16 crew members.
Following the attack, the plane disintegrated and crashed into the Persian Gulf waters, killing all 290 onboard, among them 66 children.
US officials claimed that the USS Vincennes had mistaken Iran Air Flight 655 for a warplane. This is while the warship was equipped with highly sophisticated radar systems and electronic battle gear at the time of the attack.
In 1990, the captain of the cruiser, William C. Rogers, was cleared of any wrongdoing and was even awarded America’s Legion of Merit medal by then US president George Bush for his “outstanding service” during operations in the Persian Gulf.
NOURNEWS