Politicizing seizure of South Korean oil tanker won't resolve it: Khatibzadeh

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Mon / 11 January 2021 / 14:07

Tehran (ISNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh advised certain countries to avoid politicizing the seizure of South Korean oil tanker which was seized due to the pollution of the marine environment in the Persian Gulf because politicizing the issue won't help to resolve it.

Speaking at a weekly press conference on Monday, Khatibzadeh reacted to French and American interventionist statements about the seizure of South Korean oil tanker and said, "I call on France to respect international law. The Korean ship was seized due to the pollution of the marine environment in the Persian Gulf with a previous warning and a court order, and it was a completely technical matter".

"Those who seek to politicize the issue are going in the wrong direction. They should allow the case to be addressed through legal procedures by the court in calm," he added.

Regarding Iranian financial assets frozen in South Korea, Khatibzadeh said, "South Korea should settle the problem and we use all legal channels to unblock Iran's currency resources".

"Korean banks have illegally blocked Iran's currency resources for nearly two years and a half citing a fear of US sanctions. The South Korea's action, which is only surrender to ransom demand from the US, is not acceptable. They must put aside these excuses," he added.

Answering a question about the visit of the South Korean delegation to Iran, Saeed Khatibzedeh noted, "The trip has been pre-planned during which Iranian and Korean official will discuss various issues, above all the issue of Iranian financial assets frozen in South Korea".

Khatibzadeh announced that Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the South Korean deputy foreign minister are to hold talks later in the day on the seizure of the ship and the Iranian frozen assets.

Regarding the Ukrainian plane case, Khatibzadeh said, "Judicial process of Ukrainian plane case is being pursued".

"We had good talks in two rounds with Ukraine, where good technical issues were discussed. The third round was scheduled for November 2020 in Ukraine, but despite numerous follow-ups, the Ukrainian side has not yet specified the exact date," he added.

"The approach of some countries and the arrival of some known bankrupt elements show that some seek to politicize this issue and do not seek to resolve it," Khatibzadeh noted.

"Iran raised the issue of paying compensation in two rounds of talks with Ukraine, and the Ukrainian side did not cooperate," he emphasized.

The spokesman highlighted, "Despite the fact that this unfortunate and tragic event has taken place, Iran, as a responsible government and in a technical and independent framework, will pursue and respond to this issue and will not be captured by the politicization and artificial pressures of the bankrupt elements".

"We are accountable to the victims and to international organizations," he stressed.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Khatibzadeh pointed to the European Troika statement on Iran's 20% enrichment, saying, "Not only did these countries fail to fulfil their responsibilities, but they were the US's partner in violating the JCPOA".

"These countries completely know what Iran is doing today over the reduction of its obligations are under the JCPOA and within the framework of Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA," he added.

"It is better for these countries to return to fulfilling their obligations," he stressed, adding, "When Europe and the United States return to fulfilling their commitments, we will return to our commitments."

End Item