Sanction shows US weakness, says Iran minister

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

1390/03/11
06-01-2011
10:27:02
News Code :9003-07669

TEHRAN (ISNA)-Sanction against Iran and other independent states shows the US administration's weakness, said Iranian Defense Minister as referring to the US recently-imposed sanction against Venezuelan State Oil Company.

Washington has recently imposed sanctions against Venezuelan PDVSA for alleged shipment of two tankers of a gasoline additive to Iran.

The measure came in a campaign to tighten sanctions on Iran over its peaceful nuclear program.

Under the sanctions, PDVSA is denied US government contracts and banned from Washington's export financing.

Venezuela's Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez, who is also the Head of PDVSA, said on May 25 that Venezuela would continue to keep ties with Iran and any other country it wishes.

Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi who arrived in Bolivia on Tuesday for an official visit said, "this sanction is an logical and unjustifiable and the US regime has always used the illogical tool of sanction to confront independent countries."

He added, "the sanctions not only did not have adverse impacts, but also they have paved the way for growth and strength of Iran. No doubt that imposition of sanction on Venezuelan State Oil Company makes the country more self-reliant."

Also regarding Iran's reaction in case of any military strike by the US, Vahidi warned, "the US, if acts logically, will not do so after it experienced abjectness in Iraq and Afghanistan. The strong Iran is ready for enemy-crushing and tough response in case of any illogical and violent behavior by the US."

Vahidi leading a delegation is invited officially by her Bolivian counterpart Maria Cecilia Chacon.

This is the first trip by Iranian Defense Minister to Bolivia since the Islamic Revolution victory in Iran in 1979.

During a two-day visit, Vahidi will discuss the developments of bilateral relations in the military sphere with Bolivian officials.

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News Code: 9003-07669