Russia Raps US Call for UNSC Meeting on Iran

"We do not see any UNSC role in this issue… (In Iran) there are certain domestic processes, the UNSC is a certain body, which is responsible under the UN Charter for maintaining international peace and security, Iran's internal issues have nothing to do to this UNSC function," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Sputnik on Thursday.

The Russian diplomat explained that it would be difficult to predict the results of the potential UNSC session, but the idea to hold the session was destructive.

"Of course we cannot predict the developments of the situation as for a call of this hypothetical session, but I am sure that in contrast with this harmful and destructive US idea, we will set out our position, which is very consistent and is fully based on the adherence to the norms of international law," he added.

It came after US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley announced on January 1 that Washington would push for an "urgent" meeting of the UN Security Council on protests in Iran.

Kazakh envoy to the UN Kairat Umarov, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the UNSC, has reacted to the issue by saying that the council had not yet added the subject to its agenda and the corresponding decision had not been made.

In his interview with Sputnik, Ryabkov has also touched upon the issue of possible sanctions against Iran over the recent unrest in the country, saying, "Our position is well known, unilateral sanctions, as a way to resolve problems relating to foreign policy, are unacceptable, they are illegitimate. The problem is that the oversimplification of the US foreign policy has gone too far.”

"We will counter Washington's sanctions pressuring as we used to. And our position fully applies to the situation in the US-Iranian relations. We categorically reject such tricks and insist that the threats to impose sanctions are also illegitimate," he stressed.

On Tuesday, Washington said it was considering new sanctions on Tehran over what it called the Iranian government’s action on protest rallies in the country.

Last week, a number of peaceful protests over economic problems broke out in several Iranian cities, but the gatherings turned violent when groups of participants, some of them armed, vandalized public property and launched attacks on police stations and government buildings.

Over a dozen people have been killed in the ensuing violence, according to media reports.

Officials say many rioters arrested in the unrest have been trained by the terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) or had links with the Takfiri groups.

Following the unrest, people of Iran held several demonstrations across the country to condemn the violent riots and acts of vandalism, and voice support for the Islamic Republic’s Establishment.

Iranian officials maintain that people have the right to stage protests to express their opinions, as long as rallies comply with the legal conditions.

According to Article 27 of the Iranian Constitution, “public gatherings and marches are allowed so long as the participants do not carry arms and are not in violation of the fundamental principles of Islam.”