Tehran: The United States' sanctions against Iran have deprived the people of access to proper medical equipment and treatment, according to the deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, speaking at a conference titled Unilateral Sanctions and Access to Justice at National, Regional and International Levels on Tuesday, Kazem Gharibabadi highlighted that the sanctions were imposed as part of the so-called 'maximum pressure' policy against Iran and have violated people's right to life and full health. He emphasized that Iran stands as a clear example of a country whose populace has endured the severe consequences of sanctions on their basic human rights for decades.

Gharibabadi shed light on the dire impact of the sanctions, stating that they have 'restricted access to medical and health equipment, and patients suffering from cancer or other chronic diseases cannot receive the necessary treatments.' He attributed the situation to international banks' refusal to engage in transactions with Iran, which he described as leading to 'collective destruction.'

The deputy foreign minister reiterated Iran's commitment to peace and multilateralism. He contended that unilateral punitive measures, often portrayed as diplomatic tools, will fail to achieve their intended results. He further stated that unilateral sanctions 'claim to pursue political and security objectives, but in reality, they damage national economies and harm the livelihoods of people and countries.'