Alena Douhan, United Nations special rapporteur, said that the impact of sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran was “devastating.” She described them as illegal and urged that they be lifted.

“During our visit, we were able to identify [the] devastating humanitarian impact of sanctions,” said Alena Douhan, the UN special rapporteur focused on the impact of unilateral sanctions.

“The measures imposed against Iran violate international law, they are illegal,” Douhan added, speaking to reporters at the end of a 12-day visit to Iran, the first to the Islamic republic by a special rapporteur since 2005.

“I do not expect that they will be lifted immediately or they will be lifted in a month,” Douhan added. “My purpose here, and the purpose of the country visit, is to analyze the situation and to bring the facts for the discussion of the world community.”