Brasilia: Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has cautioned that unilateral sanctions by certain developed countries on developing nations are thwarting international climate cooperation and efforts to address environmental crises. Speaking at the BRICS summit on environment and global health in Brazil, Araqchi highlighted that politically motivated sanctions, particularly those targeting the Islamic Republic, have erected significant barriers for nations trying to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.
According to Lao News Agency, Araqchi labeled these sanctions as 'unjust' and contradictory to global objectives aimed at combating environmental degradation and achieving sustainable development. He asserted that climate change is an immediate and escalating threat, emphasizing issues such as rising temperatures, diminishing water resources, severe wildfires, ecosystem destruction, and climate-induced displacement that millions face daily.
Araqchi outlined Iran's domestic initiatives focusing on water management, renewable energy development, and ecosystem restoration, as the country resides in one of the most climate-sensitive regions globally. However, he emphasized the necessity for 'climate justice,' which involves historical accountability from industrialized nations and their assistance in funding and sharing clean technologies with the developing world.
He further criticized affluent countries for not fulfilling their climate obligations, holding them historically accountable for significant environmental damage worldwide. Araqchi also condemned recent Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, describing them as reckless actions that jeopardize international law and human and ecological safety.
He warned that these assaults by nuclear-armed states against a non-nuclear state under comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency surveillance could result in irreversible environmental damage. The conflict escalated on June 13 when Israel, in an unprovoked war, assassinated high-ranking Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists, aiming to overthrow Iran's government. During this conflict, Israeli and U.S. forces targeted Iran's civilian nuclear facilities.
In retaliation, Iran executed nearly two dozen phases of Operation True Promise III against Israel. The hostilities ceased on June 24 after Israel unilaterally agreed to a ceasefire.