Iran summons Australia’s Charge d’Affaires over sanctions dispute

Iran summons Australia’s Charge d’Affaires in Tehran to the Foreign Ministry to protest Australian sanctions on senior Iranian military officials and institutions for ‘destabilizing behavior’ in the region

Iran summoned Australia’s Charge d’Affaires in Tehran to the Foreign Ministry Wednesday to protest Australian sanctions on senior Iranian military officials and institutions for “destabilizing behavior” in the region.

In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed that a protest note was delivered to the diplomat “following Canberra’s move to impose new sanctions on several top Iranian officials and institutions.”

According to the statement, the envoy was informed that Iran considers Canberra’s sanctions both “illegal” and “unjustified,” asserting that Tehran “reserves the right to reciprocate the move.”

“The Australian charge d’affaires said he would convey Iran’s stance to Canberra as soon as possible,” it added.

On May 14, Australia imposed sanctions on five senior Iranian officials, including Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani and Quds Force Commander Esmail Qaani, in response to Iran’s “destabilizing actions” in the Middle East.

Additionally, on April 13, the Canberra government sanctioned three institutions and companies involved in Iran’s missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs, as well as the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, for seizing an Israeli-linked commercial vessel.

According to the official statement by the Australian Foreign Ministry, these measures are in line with those taken by their “partners” after “Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel in April.”

Australia aims to “pressure Iran” to halt its “disruptive activities and adhere to international law,” it added.

Source: AA