Spox: Other countries may join INSTEX

Tehran, Feb 18, IRNA - Spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it is possible that some other countries may join the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX). Commenting on the visit of India's foreign minister to Tehran and whether there is a plan for India to join the financial mechanism, Bahram Qasemi said on Monday, 'There are precise expert talks on how this mechanism and trade are being implemented.' The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said that the initial talks were that this mechanism should start with specific items and specific countries. Qasemi noted that when the process is favorable for the parties, it is possible that other countries can use the mechanism. Answering another question about allegations that an American intelligence officer has sought asylum in Iran, he said, 'There are so many Iranophobic stories in the media of the United States and some parts of the world. I do not know about this, and I think that this news is not correct and is considered to be media hype, and that the FBI has filed a charge against an American citizen.” 'Given the hostile policies of the United States and the Zionist regime, we are prepared for any situation,' said Qasemi, in response to a question on US warmongering remarks and whether Iran took the risk of a war seriously. “At the same time, we consider the US officials' irrelevant remarks as a psychological war to exert pressure on Iran.” He stated, 'The Islamic Republic of Iran has such a power in the region and in the world that no enemy can even dare to dream about attacking Iran.'