No country can set conditions for ‘independent’ Iran: Zarif

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says no foreign state can impose conditions on an “independent” country like Iran.

“No one can set conditions for Iran and Iran is an independent country,” Zarif told reporters on Saturday.

He made the remarks in response to an earlier demand by German Economy Minister and Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel who told online weekly magazine Der Spiegel on Friday that Iran could have normal and friendly relations with Germany “only when it accepted Israel's right to exist.”

Zarif dismissed the German official’s call and said, “Our policies are clear and [officials of] different countries travel to Iran in the knowledge that that the country’s policies are constructive.”

“Our country is the main country fighting against terrorism in the region,” the top Iranian diplomat said.

He added that Iran has been resisting foreign bullying over the past 37 years “while it is a peace-seeking country.”

“Iran is a country that has stood up to Daesh and terrorism; therefore, having relations with Iran should be an honor for all,” Zarif said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi also on Saturday rejected Germany’s demand and emphasized that Tehran would never drop support for the Palestinians.

“Ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Germany are based on mutual respect and interests, and no precondition would be acceptable in this regard," Qassemi said.

The spokesperson added, “The Islamic Republic considers defending the rights of the people of Palestine to be a fixed plank of its foreign policy and will never and under no circumstances forsake the Palestinian cause.”

SS