Spokesman Blasts US "Biased" Report on Religious Freedom in Iran

Rasa - Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman blasted the US for its recent report on religious freedom in Iran, and described it as untrue and biased.

News ID: 431733

Date: 16 August 2017 - 23:05

RNA - "Tehran sees the report of US on religious freedom in Iran as politically motivated, unrealistic, baseless and biased," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

"In the report, a distorted politically-motivated image of religious freedom in Iran is created which is accompanied by baseless accusations," Qassemi said referring to the recent US secretary of State's International Religious Freedom Report for 2016.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman reiterated that to eliminate religious differences and working towards their proximity, one should avoid politicizing the issue, and said, "The only way to do so is through dialogue based on respect to each other's beliefs.

"It seems that the US government has forgotten the important goal and is merely obsessed with political exploitation of religious diversity in some countries of the world," the Iranian official said, adding, "The assumption that the US does not have a realistic assessment of internal conditions of the countries, particularly the demographic and religious conditions."

The foreign ministry spokesman said that the Iranian people perform their religious rituals freely based on the constitution, and the country's law supports the freedom.

In the information age and today's integrated world it is quite clear that racial and religious discrimination, Islamophobia and xenophobia is a prevalent practice among American politicians, with Muslims living in the country being targeted by violent, discriminative acts of state institutions, like police and security forces, the spokesman said, to the extent that harassment, insulting to religious and sacred beliefs, lack of freedom in performing religious rituals, and raid to Muslim holy places are among everyday issues in the US.

The US is expected to take legal and practical measures to boost religious freedom, especially with regard to Muslims' rights, instead of judging religious freedom status in other countries, Qassemi said.

In relevant remarks in late July, Qassemi strongly condemned the US officials' "meddlesome remarks" on Iran's launch of Simorq satellite carrier.

Qassemi's remarks came in reaction to the US officials' remarks in which they accused Iran of violation of nuclear deal by launching Simorq (Phoenix) satellite carrier into the space.

"It was an absolute right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to launch the satellite-carrying rocket into space," Qassemi said.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman reiterated that the move was in full conformity with the country's international commitments.

Qassemi described the US Department of State's meddlesome remarks an example of Washington’s opposition to the scientific and technological progress of independent countries.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers no boundaries to its scientific and technological progress and does not wait for the permission and approval of any country for the endeavors and activities of its scientists and experts in various fields,” the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman added.

Qassemi once again criticized the measures and ratifications of the US Congress and administration against Iran, particularly since the inauguration of President Donald Trump in January, and said as repeatedly confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Tehran has lived up to its commitments under the JCPOA.

"It is the US administration that must stop the continuation of its hostile approaches to Iran and its unilateral policies in violation of the JCPOA," the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said.

Qassemi said the US officials' claims about Iran’s breach of the nuclear deal were in keeping with the White House's “baseless and illogical” efforts to justify its spiteful policies and measures against Tehran.

"Instead of seeking pretexts and leveling unfounded accusations against Iran, the US statesmen had better stop repeating measures which are against international regulations," he added.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman also urged the US officials to prevent unlimited arms sale and deadly weaponry for wars "which have targeted security, stability and peace in the region".

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