TEHRAN (Iran News) – Spokesman of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seyyed Abbas Mousavi urged South Korea to meet its financial commitments due to unfreezing Tehran’s oil money.
“We’ve much-heard promises from South Korea. Now, we only wait for tangible, vital action,” Mousavi said in a message on his twitter account on July 29.
“In Flag of Iran, no one expects 500k- or 2m-dollar shipment. We hope the Flag of South Korea officials to remember abt amount of Iranian nation’s financial resources in Seoul & no legal obstacles against trade w/Iran,” he added referring to Iranian assets blocked by South Korea under the US illegal and unilateral sanctions.
The remarks come as South Korea’s Yonhap reported that a meeting will be held on July 29 between officials of the two countries aimed at “expanding humanitarian trade”. South Korea has already sent $0.5 million worth of medicine to Iran, Mehr News Agency (MNA) reported.
Iranian authorities have been pressing South Korea to release between $6.5 billion and $9 billion in frozen funds so that Tehran could use them for purchase of basic goods.
South Korea cites the US sanctions as an excuse for not releasing Iran’s money, Mousavi told a press briefing on July 16.
Two days later, Mousavi announced in an interview with the Tasnim News Agency that Tehran may lodge a complaint against South Korea in case Seoul refuses to pay off its oil debts after all diplomatic efforts.
“If diplomacy does not yield results and South Korea continues to obey the US’ policies, Iran will summon South Korea’s ambassador to Tehran and force Seoul to pay off its debts through international tribunals,” he added.
Mousavi stressed that the “master-servant relationship” between Washington and Seoul is an issue relating to them, but South Korea “must be sincere in the bargain with Iran and honor its commitments.”
- source : Iran Daily, Irannews
