Iran Warns the World About Influx of Drugs in Response to US Sanctions on It
In December 2018, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani issued a surprising warning to the world that there would be an influx of drugs into the western world in case of US sanctions against it. The statement came out in an event in which he was addressing on fighting terrorism. Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, China, Russia, and Turkey were attending the conference. Iran’s President tried to exploit its strategic location in the world as it occupies a vital geographical location linking Europe with Asia through Turkey. Iran has a common border with Afghanistan, which is the world’s largest producer of opium. Afghanistan is responsible for spreading drugs in the world, and its neighboring countries are affected by it. On this occasion, Afghanistan was also present where Iranian President issued a warning to the west.
Mr. Rouhani was blaming US sanctions, which made its economy weak. The country is reported to spend about 2 billion pounds to fight drug trafficking annually until 2016, and as a result of US sanctions, it would not be able to do so. Fighting against drugs is a legal and ethical responsibility of any country, and it should/cannot be tied with bargaining at all. Intentions of the Iranian President are threatening to the world’s peace and health because drugs create unhealthy societies. In the case of an influx of drugs to Europe and Northern America, there would be an increase in crime and other anti-social activities. A responsible country cannot threaten the world if it has a position to blackmail others.
Good steps by any country should be praised, and if Iran spends a considerable amount to fight against drugs, then it is praised. If it has been erecting walls and embankments, creating outposts, setting up barbed wires, and digging canals along the borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, then it is a sign of a responsible country. However, issuing a warning to the world cannot be tolerated. If the President of Iran considers the US sanctions a reason to spread drugs in the world, then he reinforces the world’s belief that Iran can do anything to protect its interests. US sanctions were imposed after the US withdrew from the nuclear deal with Iran. Iran’s response to these sanctions has made the step by the US as valid and right.
In case, Iran does not spend money on fighting drugs anymore, and it lets trafficking of drugs to the west, then it should be aware that it would be the first affected by it. It cannot be possible that a country goes to spread drugs in the world, and it would remain safe. The influx of drugs would reach to the west later, but it would ruin the Iranian society and citizens before doing so.
Iran has to understand that there are some issues due to influx of drugs which should not be used for increasing bargaining power because making the world safe from drugs is beneficial for all countries. No country should be irresponsible in this regard, and it should keep taking steps to fight against drugs. Things should be seen one by one because there is not one picture covering all.
