Takht-Ravanchi: Americans Betrayed Both Us and Diplomacy
Tehran - BORNA - Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, said in an interview with France 24: “Tehran has previously informed the Europeans and anyone else that they must be careful not to get drawn into this aggressive war against Iran.”
Takht-Ravanchi noted: “If any other country joins the aggressive attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, they will also be regarded as legitimate targets for Iran’s retaliatory attacks.”
Takht-Ravanchi told France 24 that Iranian officials “entered negotiations with the United States in good faith,” and that “the latest round of these negotiations in Geneva last Thursday had been successful. Unfortunately, less than 48 hours after the talks, the United States and Israel began attacking Iran. The question is why the Americans changed their position and did not allow diplomacy the opportunity to continue. The Americans must explain why, while they were satisfied with the results of the negotiations, they changed their position. U.S. policy toward Iran is confused. We do not trust the Americans and the U.S. government. They betrayed both us and diplomacy.”
He emphasized: “This is not the first time we have been treated in this way. In June as well, while we were engaged in negotiations, the United States and Israel attacked. This war has been imposed on us and we will continue to defend ourselves. This is our duty toward our people.”
The Iranian deputy foreign minister also emphasized that Iran would strike the positions of Kurdish militant groups, amid recent reports indicating that these groups have been armed by Mossad and the CIA.
He said: “If it becomes necessary to protect our sovereignty, we will certainly do so.”
Takht-Ravanchi also responded to what he described as interfering remarks by Donald Trump regarding the selection of Iran’s leader, saying that the choice of the leader has nothing to do with the U.S. president.
He rejected the U.S. president’s claim about determining the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and said Iran’s internal affairs concern only the Iranian people.
Takht-Ravanchi also rejected U.S. claims about the weakening of Iran’s offensive capabilities.
The deputy foreign minister said: “They know how powerful our missile capability is. They should take into account that our missiles will continue to land on their cities. We will do everything we can for our people.”
The deputy foreign minister also rejected claims about an attack on the Republic of Azerbaijan and said: “We seek good relations with neighboring countries. That missile was not fired from Iran.”
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