Tehran Summons U.S. Interests Holder in Protest Against 'Executive Order on Entry Ban'

The spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry announced that the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, who represents U.S. interests in Iran, was summoned and the Islamic Republic's note of protest regarding the temporary entry ban for citizens of seven countries, including Iranians, to the U.S. was delivered to him. Simultaneously, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament has strongly criticized this order. According to the state news agency IRNA, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, reported that on Sunday, January 30, the Swiss ambassador in Tehran was summoned by Mohammad Kashavarzadeh, the Director General for American Affairs at the Foreign Ministry. Mr. Qasemi stated that during this meeting, Iran's note of protest regarding the executive order of the U.S. President and the 'discriminatory treatment against Iranian citizens' for traveling to the U.S. was handed over to the Swiss ambassador. He added that the imposition of restrictions on Iranian citizens' travel to the U.S. 'under false and discriminatory pretexts is unacceptable and contrary to human rights conventions and the provisions of the legal and consular agreement of August 15, 1955, between the two countries.' According to the executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, which was issued on Friday, the issuance of visas for citizens of seven countries, including Iran, will be suspended for at least 90 days, and the entry of refugees or citizens of these countries into U.S. territory will be prevented. This restriction applies to holders of both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, and it has been stated that decisions regarding holders of U.S. permanent resident cards will be made 'on a case-by-case basis.' The Iranian Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Saturday, January 29, strongly criticized this order, emphasizing that 'while respecting the people of the United States,' it will implement the principle of reciprocity, although the Iranian Foreign Minister tweeted that Americans with valid visas to Iran will still be accepted in Iran. Hours before the issuance of this statement, Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, without naming this order, referred to the fall of the Berlin Wall and stated that 'the era of walls between nations has come to an end.' In this context, Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, also on Sunday described this order as indicative of the 'vulgarity of the vision and behavior' of the U.S. government and added that this action 'revealed their violent racist spirit hidden behind the deceptive facade of democracy and human rights.' He added: 'This action showed that they are afraid of their own shadow; otherwise, a country with security power would not make such decisions with anxiety and fear.' Mr. Larijani stated that the mention of Iran among these seven countries 'resembles a joke under the pretext of concern over terrorist activities.' He emphasized that Iran stands 'alone' against terrorists and it is unlikely that U.S. officials do not know 'where the main source of terrorists is.' Iranian officials have previously accused Saudi Arabia and its allies of supporting the Islamic State (ISIS) and other terrorist groups. Mr. Larijani also mentioned without naming names that 'the position of our esteemed artist in boycotting attendance at the American art festival is an example of the national pride of the Iranian people.' Taraneh Alidoosti, an actress and one of the stars of Asghar Farhadi's film 'The Salesman' and an Oscar nominee, announced that she will not attend the Oscars in protest against Donald Trump's immigration policies. Asghar Farhadi also stated in a note published in the New York Times that even if an exception is made regarding his attendance at the Oscars, he will not participate in the ceremony. In this context, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, known as the 'Oscars,' expressed concern over the possibility of the cast of 'The Salesman' not attending this year's Oscar awards ceremony following Donald Trump's executive order. In this context, airlines are 'penalizing' Iranian passengers for canceling flights to the U.S. and requesting Iranian agencies not to issue tickets for the U.S. Iran emphasizes 'reciprocity' in response to the temporary entry ban on Iranians to the U.S. The dimensions of Trump's executive order regarding the entry ban on Iranian citizens to the U.S. have been suspended for 90 days.