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Furious Zarif defends Iran's foreign policy to critic

In his first appearance since the Islamic Republic’s 10th parliament was inaugurated in May, Iran’s foreign minister lashed out at a political opponent for questioning the intentions of the country’s foreign policies.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif gestures as he speaks during a news conference in Riga, Latvia, June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins - RTX2FB1T

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif appeared before the Iranian parliament Oct. 2 to address questions about Iran’s diplomatic approach in the aftermath of the nuclear deal. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed with six world powers led to the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions in return for restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.

Javad Karimi Ghodoosi, a member of parliament from the Principlist faction who has been an outspoken critic of Iran’s current government, posed questions that triggered an outburst by Zarif. Ghodoosi, a representative from the conservative city of Mashhad, raised three issues in the National Security Commission’s report:

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