US tariff threat can’t impact Russia-Iran ties: Lavrov
US tariff threat can’t impact Russia-Iran ties: Lavrov
M.U.H
15/01/202621
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Moscow and Tehran maintain strong relations that cannot be affected by any third party, as US President Donald Trump announced 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran.
Lavrov commented on Trump’s announcement at a press conference on Wednesday.
"I don't think any third party can change the fundamental nature of the relationship between Moscow and Tehran. These relations are based on agreements reached by the presidents of Russia and Iran. It responds to the interests of the two states and peoples.”
He said such a nature is reflected in many practical projects, such as the construction of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and the implementation of transportation infrastructure plans like the International North-South Transport Corridor.
"I think we should just work and implement all these agreements that were reached between Iran and us, and between Russia and all our other trade and economic partners," Lavrov stated.
Trump’s tariff threat came as calm has been restored across Iran after recent riots, which authorities said were fueled by agents supported by the US and Israel.
Lavrov said Washington “started acting in a way that ignored all the norms they themselves promoted” and was damaging its own image.
“They propagated a model they called globalization, but then they refused all their principles. Of course, this makes one think that American colleagues who act in such a way look rather unreliable," he said.
Referring to Washington’s anti-Iran threats and the kidnapping of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Russia’s top diplomat said the US was fragmenting the international system.
“We are talking about a gross violation of international law,” Lavrov said of the US abduction of Maduro.
On January 3, US forces abducted Maduro and his wife from Caracas and transferred them to New York following a military attack involving heavy bombing, aircraft, warships, and commandos.
Hours after the attack on Venezuela, Trump said the United States would run Venezuela at least temporarily and be "very strongly involved" in the country’s oil industry.
The military attack on Venezuela follows months of pressure on the country under the pretext of combating illegal drugs destined for the United States.
Caracas firmly denied any connection to drug trafficking and maintained that Washington aimed to overthrow the Venezuelan president in a bid to take control of the nation’s vast oil reserves.
