Rouhani defends Zarif’s G-7 appearance
Conservative Iranian media outlets found much to criticize in Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s surprise arrival at the G-7 meeting, but President Hassan Rouhani is standing by the move.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif made a surprise visit to the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France, on Aug. 25. The trip took place after lobbying by French President Emmanuel Macron to bring the United States and Iran closer to holding talks and reducing tensions in the Persian Gulf. While Zarif held talks with officials from the United Kingdom, Germany and France, he did not meet with US officials or President Donald Trump.
After the trip Zarif tweeted, “Iran’s active diplomacy in pursuit of constructive engagement continues,” adding, “Road ahead is difficult. But worth trying.” In a not-so-subtle message to the G-7 countries, Zarif’s next tweet was about his trip to China, where he will present a “25-year road map” on pursuing common interests.
The United States and Iran once again headed toward a collision after the Americans exited the nuclear accord that limited Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief. Since the US exit, Iran has gradually reduced its commitments under the deal.
After conservatives attacked Zarif’s trip, President Hassan Rouhani defended the move and said that he is not opposed to meeting with anyone in order to resolve the country’s challenges. “If I knew that attending a session or meeting someone would solve the people’s problems, I would not delay,” Rouhani said during a speech today. “If there is a chance of success of not even 90%, but say 10 or 20%, we have to try and go forward and not give up opportunities.”
