Iran FM's answer to Trump's anti-Iran words: We heard absolute deception instead of threat

Pars Today- Iran's foreign minister, in response to a question about American President Donald Trump's remarks on Iran in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, said, "I heard the US president's remarks last night. I'm sorry to hear a deceptive view."

According to Pars Today, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, added on Wednesday, "What he stated about the inclination of the regional countries to enjoy the path of progress and prosperity is indeed the path that the Iranian people have [already] chosen with their revolution and have covered it in order to have an independent, democratic, free, prosperous and advanced country."

Araghchi added, "It was the US which, through sanctions for the past 40 and so years and with its pressures and military and nonmilitary threats, has prevented the progress of the Iranian nation. The one which is the cause of economic problems is the US and arrogant policies which it has imposed on the Iranian people and likes a dependent and obedient system which is in contrast with the dignity of the Iranian people."

Iran's foreign minister, referring to Trump's repeated emphasis on the so-called "maximum pressure" policy, reiterated, "The American President has ignored all crimes of the Israeli regime in the region (Gaza, Lebanon and Syria) and wants to introduce Iran as a threat. This is an absolute deception and replacement of threats."

Iran keen to build up regional understanding over talks with US

The Iranian foreign minister, in response to a question on the axes of the discussions during his recent trip to Riyadh and Doha, said, "We inform the regional countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and other countries such as Europeans and our international friends about the course of indirect negotiations with the US. We are interested that a regional understanding is shaped about this round of talks and any possible agreement, so that, in view of this regional understanding, we will witness enhancement of regional stability and security and, of course, regional comprehension between Iran and regional countries without [any] foreign interference."

He also said about the course of negotiations between Iran and Europe, "The new round of these negotiations will be held at the level of deputy foreign ministers on May 16 in Istanbul."    

RM/UR