FM Zarif: US stance against Iran lacks intl. credibility

TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (MNA) – Iranian FM Zarif in response to recent US remarks on Iran’s missile test said the US stance against the country is void of any international credibility. The Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remark on Saturday in a joint presser with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the Iranian capital, Tehran. The press conference was held prior to the Munich Security Conference (MSC) which is set to assemble a core group meeting in Tehran to discuss regional developments. Zarif maintained that Tehran-Berlin relations are based on mutual respect and interests, adding the talks today evolved around the various ways the two countries could boost these relations. The Iranian top diplomat referred to the visit of a number of high-ranking German officials of trade, economy, investment and industry including Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel as well as culture delegates to Tehran in the past few weeks, expressing hope the visits would prepare the stage for further cooperation between the two countries. Zarif further noted that the private sector in both countries can serve as a mechanism for expanding ties. Zarif then stated that the political talks between the two countries included expanding bilateral ties, various points of mutual interest such as topics on terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, human rights, nuclear dismemberment, and other regional issues. In response to a question about recent remarks by US officials about Iranian missile tests as well as issuing reports on violation of human rights in Iran, Zarif said the US adopting stances contrary to facts and realities is nothing new, adding “US backs the greatest violator of human rights and international law, namely the Zionist regime, and as such, these remarks only damage its international credibility and leads to more distrust from Iranian nation for the US.” Zarif further added that the Iranian missile tests have nothing to do with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 as the Iranian missiles have not been designed to carry nuclear warheads; “the test was conducted in line with the legitimate defense of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and has no relation to any resolutions.” He repeated that Iran has never had and will never have a nuclear weapons program. Steinmeier, for his part, said all parties to the JCPOA are determined to take the necessary steps to implement the nuclear accord, adding the two sides should build trust in order to reduce possible tensions. Germany’s foreign minister arrived in Tehran today morning to attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC) and to meet with Iranian officials. FM Steinmeier is also scheduled to meet with President Hassan Rouhani as well as the Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.