Tehran, IRNA - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a meeting with Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, called on the sanctioned countries to take collective measures to neutralize the imposed sanctions.

"The countries that have been sanctioned by the United States must cooperate with each other and form a joint assembly to destroy the weapon of sanctions. We believe that such a thing is achievable," the Supreme Leader said during the meeting.

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution also referred to the sanctions that the US has imposed against Iran since the beginning of the Revolution, and the most severe sanctions that the country experienced during the last twelve years, and said, "The severe sanctions made Iran aware of its capabilities and internal strengths. During this time, the sanctions provided the ground for many developments in Iran and our country was able to advance outstandingly in various fields including science and technology, medicine and biology, aerospace science, nuclear technology, and nanotechnology."

Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that if the countries that have been sanctioned by the US make complete use of each other’s potentials, they all will benefit greatly.

Recalling the fields of cooperation between Iran and Belarus in the fields of science and technology, commerce, and political activities in international spheres, the Supreme Leader referred to the International North-South Transport Corridor, adding, "The establishment of the North-South Transport Corridor is in the interest of both countries, as well as Russia and the region. Both sides should work hard to create it."

Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that agreements and talks should not conclude in meetings, but should be implemented and followed up at certain predetermined times.

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution also pointed out that the world today is in need of spirituality and that spirituality can serve as a moving factor for nations.

While expressing great satisfaction during his meeting with Imam Khamenei, the Belarusian president stated, "I have come to Iran to assure you that I am determined to open a new page in the relations between the two countries, and with the cooperation and will of the Iranian president, we will implement all agreements with special follow-up and at certain ascertained times.”

The president of Belarus emphasized that, “the Islamic Republic of Iran has achieved amazing experiences and progress during the sanctions period, and we believe that if we take advantage of the conditions of the sanctions properly, it can be used as an opportunity to make progress. I made this trip to Iran in order to familiarize myself with Iran’s achievements."

"The current difficult international situation has shown us who our true and fake friends are. We are determined to have special cooperation with our real partners," Lukashenko added.

The President of Belarus met with Ayatollah Khamenei on Monday afternoon.

Lukashenko on Sunday evening arrived on an official visit to Iran and was welcomed by Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Seyyed Reza Fatemi Amin at Mehrabad Airport.

He was also officially welcomed by his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on Monday morning.

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