Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during a press conference in Tehran on Aug 29 2022. (STR / AFP)
TEHRAN – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday rejected certain "unsubstantiated claims" about Tehran's stance toward the conflict in Ukraine, saying Iran is ready to play a role in ending the crisis.
Making the remarks in a phone call with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, Raisi noted that Tehran is ready to use "all its capacities and potential" to help end the conflict in Ukraine, according to the Iranian presidency's website.
Making the remarks in a phone call with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi noted that Tehran is ready to use "all its capacities and potential" to help end the conflict in Ukraine, according to the Iranian presidency's website
He stressed that ever since the eruption of the conflict, Iran's stance has been opposition to it.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry recently decided to downgrade ties with Iran and remove the Iranian ambassador's accreditation over what it called Tehran's "unfriendly act" to "supply Russia with weapons to wage war against Ukraine."
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Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian said in early October that Iran has not sent weapons to Russia for use in its conflict with Ukraine and will not do so in the future.
Sanctions on UK officials, institutes
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday imposed sanctions on a number of British institutes and individuals for "supporting terrorism and terrorist groups, promoting and instigating terrorism, violence and hate-mongering and violation of human rights."
The ministry issued a statement on its website saying the move was made within the framework of the related legal regulations and sanction mechanisms as well as a "response in kind."
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Iran holds the British government responsible and accountable for supporting terrorists and violators of human rights who organize and instigate rioting and acts of terrorism in Iran from UK soil.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry
"Iran holds the British government responsible and accountable for supporting terrorists and violators of human rights who organize and instigate rioting and acts of terrorism in Iran from UK soil," said the statement.
The listed entities included the National Cyber Security Center of Britain, the British Government Communications Headquarters, as well as Volant Media, Global Media, DMA Media and anti-Iranian TV channels they support, namely BBC Persian and Iran International, according to the statement.
Iran's sanctions have also targeted several individuals, including British Minister of State for Security Tom Tugendhat, and British military commander in the Gulf Don MacKinnon.
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The sanctions will prohibit the targeted individuals from obtaining visas and entering Iran and will freeze their assets and bank accounts inside Iran.
Earlier in the day, Iran's Amir-Abdollahian said they will target people and institutes that have played a role in imposing medical sanctions on the country.