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Iran condemns America’s ‘criminal economic blockade of Cuba’

Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry

Iran has issued a strong condemnation of America’s “criminal economic blockade of Cuba” that violates international law and undermines the human rights of the Cuban people.

“Once again, the US addiction to coercion and bullying has targeted a sovereign nation determined to exercise its right to self-determination and preserve its independence and dignity,” said Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, on Sunday.

Baghaei criticized the US for imposing new sanctions, stating, “In continuation of its unjust economic blockade of Cuba, the US has introduced a new set of sanctions against the Cuban people.”

Baghaei emphasized that Iran unequivocally condemns these inhumane measures that violate core international legal principles and detrimentally affect the basic human rights of Cubans.

He asserted that such unjust and unlawful unilateral coercive measures would not diminish the resolve of the Cuban people and their leadership in resisting American dominance.

“Iran, having endured decades of unlawful US sanctions, stands in full solidarity with the people and government of Cuba and wishes them continued strength and resilience,” the spokesperson stated.

On Saturday, the US State Department announced sanctions targeting senior Cuban officials, including President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Defense Minister Alvaro Lopez Miera, and Interior Minister Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas.

The measures were outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a post on X, Rubio stated that the State Department would restrict visas for Cuban officials, citing their roles in suppressing dissent.

Rubio, whose parents are Cuban immigrants, also announced that the Torre K hotel, a luxury high-rise in Havana promoted as a symbol of modernization, was added to the US State Department’s List of Prohibited Accommodations.

The move aims to prevent US dollars from supporting what Rubio described as the Cuban regime’s repression.

“While Cubans face shortages of food, water, medicine, and electricity, the regime prioritizes lavish spending on its insiders,” Rubio said.

Ten additional government-linked properties were also added to the restricted list.

The US sanctions follow Cuba’s severe economic crisis. The US statement framed the measures as support for the Cuban people and political prisoners, referencing the government’s harsh response to the 2021 protests, the largest since the Cuban Revolution of the 1950s.

The US embargo was first imposed in 1960 following the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro and has since expanded in scope.

Former President Barack Obama sought to normalize relations, restore diplomatic ties, and visit Havana in 2016. However, President Donald Trump reversed these efforts, intensifying sanctions.

The Biden administration has maintained much of Trump’s approach but has introduced limited measures to ease restrictions on remittances and flights to Cuba.


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