Veep: Iran one of victims of chemical weapons

In a meeting with the Head of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Francesco Rocca late Monday, he added that Iran’s Red Crescent Society has been a member of the federation for over 100 years, hoping that mutual cooperation will make major achievements in offering humanitarian aid to the needy people.

The Iranian nation is one of the victims of chemical weapons in the region, he said, noting, “We know well that chemical weapons are inhumane arms and against humanity and we condemn using it by anybody.”

In Syria, the alleged use of chemical weapons should be investigated through legal channels and any measures which will further complicate the situation should be avoided, he said.

Commenting on regional developments, he referred to the volatile regional situation, saying that unfortunately, big wars broke out in the region over the past decades including US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

After the war, the number of Afghan refugees in Iran hit three million and currently, a significant number of Afghans are still living in the country, Jahangiri said.

Describing Yemeni situation as worrisome, the senior official noted that people of the country are under a severe siege and in need of pharmaceuticals and humanitarian aid.

Iran’s Red Crescent Society is seriously engaged in supplying humanitarian aid and Tehran is ready to step up cooperation with the federation to provide aid to the Yemeni nation and peoples of other war-stricken areas, Jahangiri said.

Voicing Iran’s preparedness for promoting collaboration with the IFRC, Jahangiri said that Iran is interested in using the experience of the entity and its affiliated organizations.

The IFRC chief, for his part, hailed Iran Red Crescent Society’s preparedness an capabilities in supplying humanitarian aid, saying that the level of services offered by it is high and appreciable.

Rocca also said that he held useful and constructive talks with the officials of Iran Red Crescent Society, adding that he was impressed by their interest in offering humanitarian aid.

“When in Syria, Niger and Ivory Coast, I witnessed Iran Red Crescent Society’s cooperation in those countries. Not only the institute, but also the Iranian government are actively providing humanitarian aid in those countries,” he said.

IFRC is ready for cooperation with Iran Red Crescent Society, he said, noting, “We are ready to have close cooperation with Iran.”

Warning of catastrophic situation in certain regional states, he said that killing children in Yemen is an inhuman act and unacceptable.

Unfortunately, such incidents emanate from the big powers games as a result of which the most vulnerable nations are paying dearly, Rocca said.
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