St. Petersburg Economic Forum Key to World’s De-Dollarization, Iran’s Envoy to Moscow Says

St. Petersburg Economic Forum Key to World’s De-Dollarization, Iran’s Envoy to Moscow Says

Sputnik

Tehran and Moscow have grown increasingly close in recent years as the two nations have found themselves the targets of US sanctions and regime change efforts. Economic, cultural, and military projects have enhanced trans-Caspian cooperation despite US efforts to edge into the region - and edge them out.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPEIF) began its 26th annual event on Wednesday, welcoming thousands of business and political leaders from around the globe to discuss economic relations with Russia in the Baltic port city.

Kazem Jalali, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia, told Sputnik. It was his third time attending the forum, which has taken on additional importance as Western sanctions have accelerated the movement of many nations, including Russia and Iran, toward economic relationships not centered in Europe, North America, or Japan.

“Iran is actively participating in the forum. SPIEF is not only an economic platform, but also a political one. Important agreements and contracts are signed here, in addition, there is a closer and more direct building and establishment of economic partnership and strengthening of trade relations between countries, the most acute and important economic issues are being resolved,” Jalali said.

Jalali noted that the BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - need to create a global bank wire service that does not depend on either SWIFT, which is centered in Brussels, Belgium, or the US dollar.

"The future of the world economy belongs to the BRICS. The dominance of the dollar in the world economy causes great harm. Today, the United States has taken hostage the economies of a number of countries through the dollar. Sanctions are another tool of the West,” he said.

Jalali observed there are about 26 countries on the US sanctions list, with Russia at the very top.

“This is nothing but economic terrorism, which affects not only the leaders of countries, it affects the lives of ordinary people,” he said. “Countries should not tolerate this and allow the US and Western countries to play with our destinies through the dollar. Under these conditions, we must get rid of the dominance of the dollar in the economy and the so-called SWIFT system.”

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