Iran Rejects ‘Interfering’ White House Statement on Prisoners
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry slammed as “interfering and threatening” a statement made by the White House that has demanded the release of American convicts being held in Iran, stressing that Iran’s Judiciary is an independent body dealing with the violations of national security.
“As usual, the White House’s comments are an example of interference in the internal affairs of Iran and is an unacceptable and rejected move,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Saturday.
His remarks came after the White House in a statement on Friday demanded the release of all Americans currently being held in Iran, saying President Donald Trump was "prepared to impose new and serious" consequences on Tehran if they are not released and returned.
The statement has also urged Iran to return Robert Levinson, an American former law enforcement officer, and demanded that Tehran release Iranian-American Siamak Namazi and his father, Baqer, serving 10-year sentences as well as Chinese-American Xi-yue Wang, who has recently received a 10-year prison term.
Highlighting the independent nature of Judiciary in Iran, like in any other democratic system, Qassemi said such meddlesome and threatening statements by the US officials would by no means affect the Iranian Judiciary’s determination to prosecute and punish the violators of Iran’s law and national security.
The spokesman then underlined that the individuals mentioned in the White House statement face charges under the Iranian laws, reiterating that Levinson had left Iran years ago and Tehran has no knowledge of his fate.
Qassemi noted that the US administration is pursuing an incorrect and illegal approach by threatening other countries and interfering in their internal affairs.
The spokesperson finally called on Washington to immediately release the Iranian nationals who have been held in the US prisons on bogus charges.
