Speaking in an interview with Lebanon-based and Arabic-language al-Mayadeen news network on Thursday evening, Zarif described Israel’s policies towards regional nations as vicious, stressing that Israeli authorities seek to conceal truth and advance their aggressive plots through the language of threats.

“We have never expected Israel to adopt a peaceful and non-violent approach. We have got used to Israel’s policies over the past years,” he commented.

The top Iranian diplomat also reiterated Tehran’s preparedness to offer support and assistance to bring about national unity among Palestinians, terming the issue as an urgent “priority” for the Islamic Republic.

Zarif then pointed to the resistance against the Israeli regime’s aggressive acts, saying Tel Aviv’s aggression against the besieged Gaza Strip and Lebanon taught the regime that Palestinian and Lebanese nations are not soft targets.

‘Iran ready to cooperate with Saudi Arabia on regional issues’

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif pointed to Saudi Arabia and Israel’s concurrent attempts to heap pressure on Iran, saying the Riyadh and Tel Aviv regimes joined efforts since the beginning of nuclear talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany to sabotage the negotiations.

“They explored all available avenues and exerted excessive pressure. We predict that they are still pushing ahead with such efforts,” he said.

“I advise Saudi Arabia to cooperate with us instead of collaborating with others in a bid to harm Iran. Countries that commit erroneous acts must offer apologies to Iran. This is not our mistake that some countries have decided to invade Yemen for no clear reason, and support Daesh and Nusra Front militant groups in Syria and Iraq,” Zarif stated.

He said Tehran and Riyadh could have good relations.

“Iran is prepared to cooperate with all Muslim states within the framework of non-inference in the domestic affairs of each other. Cooperation with neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, must be aimed at the establishment of peace in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria,” the Iranian foreign minister stated.

Zarif also expressed regret over division among Muslim countries.

‘Trump policies a gift to extremists’

Zarif also dismissed US authorities’ rhetoric against Iran as “ineffective,” saying the administration of former US President Barack Obama imposed numerous economic sanctions against Iran, which produced adverse political outcomes and left them with no option but to sit at the negotiating table with Iran.

He stated that Iran has devised a vast array of scenarios concerning its nuclear agreement with the world’s major powers, but the best option is that Americans stand committed to the accord.

“The US administration knows that sanctions against Iran are not helpful, and implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the best possible option,” Zarif pointed out.

The Iranian foreign minister also denounced US President Donald Trump’s new travel ban on citizens of the six Muslim-majority countries of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, saying the restriction is a “gift” to extremists.

Source: iran-daily.com