Islamic Republic in Isolation; Amirabdollahian Seeks to Establish Union of Sanctioned Countries

Hossein Amirabdollahian announced the Islamic Republic's efforts to create a union of sanctioned countries. The Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic stated on Tuesday, December 5, after the conclusion of the coastal countries' summit on the Caspian Sea, that 'more than 26 countries are under unilateral sanctions from the U.S. or the West, and the Islamic Republic has been seeking to establish a union of sanctioned countries for about three years.' Amirabdollahian also regarded the signing of a joint declaration between Iran and Russia for cooperation in 'countering sanctions' as a step within this union. Observers believe this approach of the Islamic Republic indicates a lack of change in its adventurous policies both domestically and internationally, and accordingly, it is preparing the ground for governance under heavy and prolonged sanctions. This policy is also evaluated in the context of a shift towards the East and 'covert cooperation' with Russia in its attack on Ukraine. Russia, like the Islamic Republic of Iran, is under severe Western sanctions. The reason for these sanctions is Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, and in the latest instance, the British Foreign Office announced that on Wednesday, December 6, it would impose new sanctions against individuals and entities that assist 'Russia's war machine in Ukraine.' The challenges created by the Islamic Republic in the areas of human rights, military, support for terrorist groups, and 'anti-Westernism' have led to widespread sanctions against Iran; sanctions that some experts believe are among the factors jeopardizing people's livelihoods, alongside the inefficiency and systemic corruption in the Iranian government. The Islamic Republic denies documents and evidence: 'We were not involved in attacks against American forces.' The National Security Advisor of the White House: 'The Islamic Republic has enabled attacks on ships in the Red Sea.' Britain: 'The Islamic Republic is responsible for the attacks by Houthis on commercial ships.' Amirabdollahian claims: 'Due to delays in receiving a U.S. visa, I could not attend the UN meeting.' Meeting of Amirabdollahian with Nasrallah amid Hezbollah-Israel conflict. Tehran's message to the U.S.: 'We do not seek to expand the war between Israel and Hamas.' France warns: 'The expansion of war in the region will impose a heavy responsibility on Iran.'