صراط عشق صراط عشق
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kana’ani denounced the interventionist comments by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on relations between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, saying Seoul is totally unaware of Tehran’s historical and friendly ties with the Persian Gulf states.
Kana’ani said on Monday that Tehran is following up on Yoon’s “interventionist” remarks concerning the quality of Iran’s relations with the UAE.
Addressing the UAE-based Korean forces during a recent trip to the Persian Gulf Arab state, Yoon drew a parallel between the alleged threat posed to his country by North Korea and what he called the “threat” facing Abu Dhabi from Iran. He then described Iran as the “most-threatening nation” to the UAE.
Reacting to his remarks, the Iranian diplomat stated, “The quoted remarks of this [South] Korean official reveal his complete unawareness of the historical and cordial relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Persian Gulf littoral countries, including the UAE, as well as [his lack of knowledge about] high-speed and positive developments [that are unraveling] in this regard.”
“The foreign ministry is diligently pursuing the recent positions of this country, especially the remarks made by its president, on the relations between Iran and the UAE, which totally lack diplomatic validity,” the spokesperson continued.
He added that Iran is awaiting the South Korean Foreign Ministry’s explanation in this regard.
The comments came at a time that in addition to its unfriendly positions on Iran, South Korea has been holding billions of dollars in Iranian funds. The frozen asset issue started in 2018 when former US President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal and reinstated economic sanctions against Iran.
Iranian officials stated the South Korean government is obliged to unfreeze the country’s frozen funds, stressing that unilateral US sanctions cannot justify Seoul’s inaction in repaying debts to Tehran.
The two sides had previously agreed to use the funds for purchase of humanitarian items by Iran, something that has again been prevented as a result of South Korea’s commitment to honor the sanctions.
Tehran has imposed restrictions on imports from South Korea in retaliation for Seoul’s illegal compliance with the US sanctions.
