Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi emphasized that Iran will never waver from its principles and will not succumb to pressure from its enemies.
Speaking at a gathering of Iranian diplomatic missions in Tehran, Raisi stated that his government seeks cooperation with countries that engage with Iran in good faith.
However, Raisi asserted that Iran will stand firm against states that display enmity towards the country. He emphasized that resistance, rather than retreat, is the path to progress for Iran, and strengthening deterrence is a key policy of his administration.
Raisi also expressed Iran's willingness to engage with European countries if they rectify their miscalculations and demonstrate goodwill. He highlighted the need for accurate understanding and cooperation based on mutual relevance, rejecting the notion that foreign policy should be dictated by a few countries.
Furthermore, Raisi urged Iranian ambassadors to enhance ties with Muslim, neighboring, and aligned countries, while also emphasizing cooperation with emerging powers such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Union, and BRICS.
Regarding sanctions, Raisi rejected the perception that many countries are unwilling to cooperate with Iran due to the imposed restrictions. Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian added that Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to neutralizing the oppressive sanctions imposed by the West, maintaining an open diplomatic path for their removal.
Iran has faced severe economic challenges due to the reinstatement of sanctions by the United States, led by former President Donald Trump, who unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. Despite Iran's compliance with the agreement, Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign and subsequent sanctions have adversely affected ordinary Iranians. The sanctions have limited Iran's financial channels for importing essential goods and medicine, a situation that has continued under President Joe Biden's administration.