UN Rapporteur: Iran Sanctions Are Unjust and Harmful

The UN Special Rapporteur states that US sanctions against Iran are 'unjust and harmful' and hurt ordinary people. Idris Jazayeri stated on Wednesday, August 31, in a statement that the re-imposition of sanctions against Iran followed the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement and the comprehensive implementation of this agreement by the Security Council, which he claims indicates the 'illegality' of these sanctions. The UN Special Rapporteur on the 'negative impact of unilateral coercive measures' added: 'International sanctions must have a legitimate purpose and be proportionate. Sanctions should not violate the rights of ordinary citizens, yet none of these considerations have been taken into account in this case [sanctions against Iran].' Mr. Jazayeri noted: 'These unjust and harmful sanctions are destroying Iran's economy and currency, plunging millions into poverty, and raising the prices of imported goods to a level that is no longer affordable for the people.' Donald Trump, the President of the United States, withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8. On August 7, the first round of suspended US sanctions against Iran was re-implemented. Trump has repeatedly described the JCPOA as flawed and the worst deal, believing it did not include Iran's missile program and Tehran's destructive role in regional peace and stability. The US President is calling for a new agreement that includes Iran's missile program and regional activities. Following the US withdrawal from the JCPOA, the Iranian currency market experienced severe tension, and the price of the dollar suddenly rose rapidly. The Health Ministry spokesperson also stated on August 22 that due to currency fluctuations, 40 to 50 foreign medicines have become scarce in Iran. Iraj Harirchi emphasized, however, that 'this shortage also exists in advanced European and American countries, and a 1-2% shortage of medicine is inevitable.' The UN Special Rapporteur emphasized on Wednesday that the current conditions are so ambiguous that Iran can no longer import its essential goods. He stressed that these conditions could lead to a shortage of medicine and 'silent deaths of millions of patients in hospitals.' These remarks come as Saeed Namaki, the social deputy of the Planning and Budget Organization, stated on August 22 that 'with the planning and coordination done, people should not worry about the impact of sanctions on medicine and medical equipment.' In July, an 'informed source' at one of Iran's pharmacies told the newspaper Shargh that the economic conditions had not yet shown their impact on the medicine sector but had predicted that from September, people would 'witness these impacts.'