Hawzah News Agency –Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stressed that sanctions imposed by the United States are too weak to undermine the determination of Iran to pursue the policy of maximum interaction with neighboring and regional countries.

In an address to the 15th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), held in Ashgabat on Sunday, Raisi reiterated Iran’s unconditional support for the ECO and its activities.

“The US cruel sanctions against Iran are too impotent to undermine Tehran’s determination to proceed with its policy of maximum interaction with the neighbors and regional states,” the Iranian president said.

“By withdrawing from the JCPOA illegally, imposing the illegal and unilateral sanctions, and establishing the policy of ‘maximum cruelty’, the United States proved that its interests are incompatible with the collective interests of our region,” Raisi added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran attaches special priority to economic cooperation and partnership with Asian countries, especially its neighbors in South Asia, West Asia, Central Asia and the Caucasus,” he said.

“Undoubtedly, strengthening the role and position of regional organizations as facilitators of bilateral and multilateral cooperation is one of our concerns and efforts, one of the clear manifestations of which is the Economic Cooperation Organization,” he stated.

“In addition to enjoying the material features of power, such as the population of half a billion, the ownership of one third of the world’s energy resources, the unique position for Europe-China connection with the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, the young and powerful human resources, the ECO entails a privileged identity called Islam,” Raisi noted.

“We are not only capable neighbors, but also inheritors and at the same time promote a genuine identity emanating from Islamic culture that is able to lead the future of humanity in the brightest state and can also promote spiritual growth and vitality through the cooperation of all,” he added.