Iran calls for lifting of sanctions as a means of efficient fight against drug trafficking

Tehran, IRNA – Iran’s permanent representative to the Vienna-based International Organizations Mohammad Reza Ghaebi said on Wednesday that the continuation of Iran’s role in the fight against drug trafficking requires the lifting of unilateral sanctions against the country.

Ghaebi made the remarks on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

He said that the fight against drug trafficking also requires providing enough support for the shared responsibility of all countries in this regard as well as a division of the burden of responsibility.  

The Iranian envoy regretted that based on reports provided by the United Nations, no progress has been made in the cultivation and production of illicit drugs in Afghanistan’s neighborhood and the country has produced some 86% of the world’s opium in 2021.  

Ghaebi said that Iran confiscated over 1,100 tons of drugs in the year to register a new record.