Iran’s FM spokesman Bahram Qasemi said while Donald Trump’s anti-Iranian remarks are ‘hostile’ and ‘threatening’, Iran will for now exercise patience and wait for a clearer stance from US administration.
Bahram Qasemi made the remarks in his weekly press conference on Monday in reference to Trump administrations’ harsh stance against the Islamic Republic, adding “the missile program and all our other domestic affairs are solely related to the government, establishment and the people of Iran. We make our own decisions on national interests and do not need any consultations or negotiations with outsiders.”
He went on to add, “what has been coming out of the Trump White House so far shows that the new government has a long way from being fully settled and the remarks are contradictory.”
Qasemi deemed Trump’s remarks against Iran ‘hostile’ and ‘threatening’, adding “of course this is nothing new and we are not too much concerned. We have been faced with different governments of US for more than three decades and have become accustomed to such hostility. But realities will impose themselves on the situation in due time.”
Qasemi went on to add, “I still believe that we should be patient and not make hasty judgments. We should wait and see how the US government will take measures toward its domestic issues, as well international affairs.”
About Iran’s reciprocal measure against US new sanctions on 25 Iranian entities and individuals, he said “we are putting on a sanction list the name of a number of American entities and individuals involved in backing ISIL, al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups as well as backing the Zionist regime in suppressing the Palestinian people. The list is almost complete and will be published and announced to the public in the near future.”
Qasemi then addressed a question on the recent remarks made by Netanyahu about formation of a coalition between Israel, UK and US against Iran, saying “what the Zionist regime has voiced interest to do is not unusual, but merely their own wishes. We find it unlikely that they could advance their wishes, though.”
The Iranian diplomat then noted that the recent stance of British Prime Minister against Iran at the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council’s Summit was ‘wrong’ and ‘improper’, adding “I do not think the UK can ignore the actual realities of the Middle East for too long.”
Qasemi further talked about today’s Astana talks on Syria, adding “the meeting in Astana today is held at an expert level and its objective is to provide necessary coordination for more profound efforts for establishing ceasefire in Syria.”
He went on to add, “participating delegations from Iran, Russia and Turkey are all experts and participation of no other country is on the table.”
Qasemi then discussed the situation in Yemen, saying the country has fallen victim to a senseless war imposed by Saudi Arabia. He also strongly dismissed any claims that Iran had sent weapons to Yemen’s Houthis.
He noted the US court measure in denying an emergency appeal from the Department of Justice to restore President Donald Trump’s executive order banning citizens of seven Muslim countries from entering the US, saying the move has dealt a serious blow to the prestige of the US president but further judgment should be withheld until more development on this scenario.
About the recent visit of Kuwaiti FM to Tehran who delivered the message of Emir of Kuwait for President Rouhani, Qasemi clarified “the visit was within the framework of preserving national interests in relation with all our neighboring countries.”
He went on to add, “contrary to some media speculation, the visit was not intermediary purposes. The talks were focused on bilateral, regional and international issues.”
Qasemi then discussed the possibility of deputy FM Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Russia, saying “the visit can be made because we have constant meetings with Russia over nuclear issues and other topics. I cannot give you an exact date for the visit, however.”
Source: Mehr News Agency
