Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attended today’s Parliament open session to present the MPs with a report on the process of the implementation of the nuclear deal, foreign investments and the challenges and opportunities facing the country’s Resistance Economy.
FM Zarif said the nuclear deal made it possible for countries to settle their oil debts to Iran, saying the world needs to face the fact that Iran is the most secure and lucrative market for investment.
Zarif deemed the strong presence of Iranian people on the scene and their resistance against unjust sanctions the reason why international sides which constantly regarded the Islamic Republic as an obstacle blocking their path toward achieving their goals, to retreat and halt imposing pressure and their viewpoints on Iran.
“This of course does not mean an end to all oppositions and pressures against the Islamic Republic because neither the nature of other countries will ever change nor were we negotiating with them in other non-nuclear areas,” Zarif added.
The Iranian top diplomat announced that the country has been receiving its oil-related credits following the implementation of the nuclear deal, including $5 billion from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in UAE, $2 billion from Shell Oil Company in the US and $6 billion from India, with $1 billion already paid off as the first instalment and the rest to follow in the near future.
He also added that Greece and other countries would be soon clearing off their oil debts to Iran.
“The enemies such as the Zionists and the Saudi regime are making attempts to tell banks Iran is not secure for investment, but we must show the realities to the world that Iran is the most secure and lucrative country in the global market,” he said.
Zarif also noted that Iran’s resources abroad have been made accessible and foreign banks are resuming their relations with Iranian banks.
“The reason that certain unjust American sanctions against Iran are still in place is our anti-hegemonic policies,” Zarif said, adding “these are the capitals of the Islamic Revolution and we will never lose them to gain a few more dollars.”
Elsewhere, Zarif condemned the removal of the Saudi regime from the UN blacklist for its war crimes against innocent children of Yemen, and described the UN move ‘shameful’.
Elsewhere, Zarif talked about the Saudi Arabia’s ‘Hajj sabotage’, saying the Islamic Republic of Iran will refrain from attending this year’s Hajj rituals in order to highlight the necessity and significance of preserving the dignity of Iranian pilgrims.
To a question about Foreign Ministry’s plans for cementing relations with Russia given the current regional developments, Zarif maintained that one of the country’s most expansive economic negotiations have been with Russia and China; “China is planning to invest $30 billion in Iran’s trade projects. We also have a $2.2 billion finance with Russia and talks are underway for a $5 billion finance with the Eurasian country.”
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