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PHOTO FILE: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at a press conference on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at the US headquarters in New York, United States, the September 26, 2018. REUTERS / Brendan Mcdermid / File Photo
DUBAI (Reuters) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday called on Muslims around the world to unite against the United States, instead of "rolling out red carpets for criminals".
In May, Washington reimposed the sanctions in Tehran, after President Donald Trump withdrew from a nuclear deal reached in 2015 with Iran, under which it had been lifted.
"Submitting to the West led by America would be a betrayal against our religion … and against future generations of this region," Rouhani said at an international conference on the subject. Islamic unity in Tehran, in a speech broadcast live on state television.
"We have the choice of unfolding red carpets for criminals or strongly opposing injustice and remaining faithful to our prophet, our Qur'an, and our Islam," said Rouhani, apparently referring to Saudi Arabia. and the other Gulf States. close ties with Washington.
Iran and Saudi Arabia are regional rivals and have supported conflict opponents in Syria and Yemen, as well as various political factions in Iraq and Lebanon.
"We are ready to defend the interests of the Saudi people against terrorism, aggression and the superpowers (…) and we are not asking for 450 billion dollars to do so," said Rouhani, referring to the contracts of the Saudi Arabia with the United States.
Reportage by the press room of Dubai; Edited by Hugh Lawson
