Zarif urges D-8 to stand up against US anti-Iran sanctions
November 03, 2018 - Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, also known as the Developing-8, to not abide by unilateral US sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
He made the remarks in an address to the 18th Session of the D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers in the Turkish city of Antalya on Saturday.
Zarif said that the recent negative outlook for the world economy by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is because of "unilateralism and growing trade barriers and sanctions," Press TV reported.
He also underlined the need for enhancing "commercial multilateralism" in the face of punitive measures that damage the global economy.
"Unilateral trade actions, retaliatory measures and economic sanctions could disrupt the global economy and undermine broader multilateral cooperation at a time when it is urgently needed. Under these circumstances, it is now more than ever necessary for us to enhance and strengthen economic and commercial multilateralism, including through frameworks such as the D-8," he said.
"In general, D-8 member states need to join the large block of nations, who stand up against unilateralism and, in particular, refuse to give effect to any irresponsible and illegal acts, including criminal sanctions against my country," he added.
D-8 is an organization promoting development cooperation among member states including Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey and Bangladesh.
Under the administration of President Donald Trump, the US has taken an increasingly hostile approach toward Iran.