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Iran slams US sanctions on government shipping company

Iran on Friday condemned US sanctions on the country's largest shipping line as "illegal and unjustifiable", insisting the company never engaged in any illicit activities including the transfer of equipment to enhance its missile and nuclear programmes.

  • AP
  • Published: 21:02 September 13, 2008
  • Gulf News

Tehran: Iran on Friday condemned US sanctions on the country's largest shipping line as "illegal and unjustifiable", insisting the company never engaged in any illicit activities including the transfer of equipment to enhance its missile and nuclear programmes.

In the government's first reaction to the sanctions, Iran's UN mission accused the United States of targeting "the welfare of the Iranian nation" and exerting "undue pressure on thousands of shareholders" of the shipping company with its "baseless allegations".

The US government on Wednesday ordered the freezing of any US bank accounts or other financial assets belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, known as IRISL, and 18 related companies. Americans are also barred from doing business with the companies.

Iran's UN mission said in a statement that the Iranian government therefore reserves the right "to seek compensation for the damages that may be incurred to its citizens as a result of such unfounded accusations and unlawful unilateral measures".

The US alleges that the Iranian company facilitated shipments of military-related cargo destined for Iran's Defence Ministry and Armed Forces Logistics, which controls Iran's ballistic missile research, development and production activities. The US also alleges the company falsified documents to conceal its cargo.

Nuclear programme

Stuart Levey, the Treasury Department's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said "IRISL's actions are part of a broader pattern of deception and fabrication that Iran uses to advance its nuclear and missile programme." The shipping line called the accusations "sheer lies" and said all consignments carried by its ships have been verified by authorities in departing and destination ports.

Meanwhile, two prominent Iranians, one conservative, one reformist, have ridiculed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying his handling of the economy has harmed the country.

Iran's former chief nuclear negotiator Hasan Rowhani, a conservative, says despite Ahmadinejad's rhetoric, UN sanctions over its nuclear programme have been harmful.

Mahdi Karroubi, a reformist ex-speaker of Iran's parliament, told Iranian press it is "shocking" that Ahmadinejad paints such a rosy picture of the economy.

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