Hassan Rouhani - Ri Yong-ho meeting in Iran
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told North Korea's foreign minister that the United States cannot be trusted, Tehran's state media said, as the United States seeks a deal to rein in the North's nuclear and missile programmes.
Iran dismissed a last-minute offer from Washington for talks this week, saying it could not negotiate after the Trump administration reneged on a 2015 deal to lift sanctions in return for curbs on Iran's own nuclear programme.
North Korea's top diplomat, Ri Yong Ho, visited Iran as the United States reintroduced sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
"The U.S. administration performance in these years has led the country to be considered untrustworthy and unreliable around the world which does not meet any of its obligations," Rouhani was quoted by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) as telling Ri on Wednesday.
Iran’s Minister of Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare, Ali Rabiei, was sacked by parliament on Wednesday, state media reported, the latest shuffle in top economic posts as the Islamic Republic struggles to stabilise its economy.The Iranian economy is beset by high unemployment, a spiraling rial, which has lost half its value since April, and the reimposition of sanctions by the United States.US seeks to trigger chaos in Iran by reinstating sanctionsA total of 129 members of parliament voted that Rabiei be impeached and removed from office, state media said, with 111 members voting in favour of him remaining.In late July, President Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet appointed a new governor for the central bank, a move seen as a concession to hardline critics who blame the government for economic problems.US will not be able to prevent Iran from exporting oil: Iranian FMProtests linked to the tough economic situation in the country began last December, spreading to more than 80 cities and towns and resulting in 25 deaths.North Korea's top envoy visits IranSporadic protests, led by truck drivers, farmers and merchants in Tehran’s bazaar, have continued regularly since then and have occasionally resulted in violent confrontations with security forces.
Iran's minister of labour sacked by parliament
"In the current situation, friendly countries should develop their relations and cooperation in (the) international community," he said, adding Iran and North Korea have "always had close views" on many issues.
Ri travelled to Tehran after attending a security forum in Singapore, where he and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sparred over an agreement made at June's landmark summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The goal of U.S. economic sanctions against Iran is a great threat for the country. In the first phase, the U.S. wants to lead Iran into a state of introversion and for it to retreat from regions such as Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine and Yemen.If the sanctions are long-term it could jeopardize Iran policies. The most serious threat is triggering an atmosphere of chaos, which would lead to a division of the country by causing financial difficulties and increasing unemployment rates.The sanctions target Tehran's acquisition of U.S. dollars, the trade of precious metals, transactions related to Iran's rial, activities relating to Iran's sovereign debt, and the country's automotive sector.Stating that the Trump administration was using Iran as domestic political leverage ahead of November's midterm elections in the states, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said, "They want to launch psychological warfare against the Iranian nation.Iran links talks with US to lifting of sanctionsThe first round of the U.S. sanctions were re-imposed early Tuesday under an executive order, and President Donald Trump, who defied Washington’s allies, pledged that companies doing business with Tehran would be barred from doing business with the United States.Iran dismissed a last-minute offer from the Trump administration for talks, saying it could not negotiate while Washington had reneged on a 2015 deal to lift sanctions in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program.Iran FM slams US sanctionsIn May, Trump withdrew the U.S. from a nuclear deal, which was signed in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 group of nations (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany).The nuclear deal places restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for billions of dollars in sanctions relief.US will not be able to prevent Iran from exporting oil: Iranian FMSanctions could lead the region to chaosThis unpredictable attempt is being evaluated as the beginning of a process that needs to be followed carefully. It is emphasized that Iran should take measures to protect its integrity and deliver calming and uniting messages to its nation and neighbors, because the region cannot overcome another war after those in Syria and Iraq.On the other hand, the PKK-linked and U.S.-backed the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) terror organization is another threat Iran may have to deal with, as terrorists could take this chaos as an opportunity to ramp up their attacks.
US seeks to trigger chaos in Iran by reinstating sanctions
The two sides vowed to work towards North Korea's denuclearisation at the summit, but have since struggled to reach a deal to meet that goal. North Korea has been pursuing its weapons programmes in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions and sanctions.
Ri told Rouhani that Washington's pullout from the 2015 pact and restoration of sanctions was an "action against international rules and regulations", IRNA said.
"North Korea's strategic policy is to deepen relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and confront unilateralism," he said.
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho held talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif Tuesday as Tehran rejoined Pyongyang in being forced to operate under American sanctions.The two leading diplomats agreed to a "further expansion of ties," according to Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency.Without providing specific details, the state-run media outlet also stated that they "discussed the latest regional and international developments as well as issues of mutual interest".It is understood to be the first time a senior North Korean official has visited Iran since leader Kim Jong-un held an unprecedented summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in June.Ri was critical of the U.S. last weekend at the ASEAN Regional Forum, where he accused Washington of being too focused on maintaining sanctions when Pyongyang has been taking peaceful measures agreed during the Kim-Trump meeting.Washington has made clear that North Korea can enjoy prosperity through global investment -- if it denuclearizes.While Trump has also offered dialogue to Tehran, the American leader posted on Twitter Tuesday that the latest punitive action against Iran forms "the most biting sanctions ever imposed".He additionally warned that "anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States".
North Korea's top envoy visits Iran
Trump decided to restore sanctions against Iran despite pleas from other world powers that had co-sponsored the deal, including Washington's main European allies, Britain, France and Germany, as well as Russia and China.
The sanctions have already led banks and many companies around the world to scale back dealings with Iran. Companies doing business with Iran will be barred from the United States, Trump said on Tuesday.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in Iran, said the country had nothing to be concerned about, his official website said on Wednesday.
"With regard to our situation do not be worried at all. Nobody can do anything," Khamenei said, the website reported.
"They can be sure. There is no doubt about this."