Tehran: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has condemned the United States for imposing new sanctions on Cuba, describing the move as part of Washington’s coercive policies against other nations. ‘Once again, the U.S. addiction to coercion and bullying has targeted a sovereign nation that is determined to exercise its right of self-determination and preserve its independence and dignity,’ Baqaei wrote on his X account late on Sunday.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baqaei further stated that the U.S. has introduced a new set of sanctions against the Cuban people as part of its ongoing economic ‘blockade’ of the country. He emphasized that Iran denounces these measures, which he described as inhuman and contrary to international law, adversely affecting the fundamental human rights of the Cuban people.

Baqaei asserted that such unilateral coercive measures would not deter the Cuban people and their leadership from resisting U.S. influences. He expressed Iran’s solidarity with Cuba, notin
g Iran’s own experience with U.S. sanctions, and wished strength and resilience to the Cuban government and its citizens.

The U.S. State Department announced the sanctions on senior Cuban officials, including President Miguel Diaz-Canel, citing their involvement in suppressing anti-government protests in July 2021. President Diaz-Canel responded by stating on his official X account that the sanctions were a result of Cuba’s commitment to being a ‘free, dignified, sovereign, and independent’ nation.