Iran Press/Iran News: In a statement on Saturday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi explained about the reason behind Mohammad Javad Zarif’s recent meeting with a US senator, saying “for over two decades, Iran has been holding talks and exchanging views with non-governmental, political elites of the United States, including members of the Congress, to define and clarify the policies of the Islamic Republic.”
“These people are neither officials nor are allowed to hold negotiations, and Iranian officials will never hold negotiations with them,” he explained according to MehrNews.
The aim of such meetings, Mousavi said, is to neutralize the “impact of pressure groups such as the ‘B-team’ on the American public opinion and political circles. This is why the meetings draw such harsh reactions and the wrath of hard-liners.”
‘B-Team’ comprises US National Security Adviser John Bolton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Iranian foreign minister during his visit to New York a few weeks ago had met with Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Ali Reza Miryousefi, spokesman for the Iranian diplomatic mission at the United Nations on Friday confirmed the meeting between Zarif and Feinstein and said: “This meeting took place in accordance with normal practice of Iran's representative meeting with members of congress.”
Feinstein, former head of the Senate's intelligence committee and an outspoken critic of US President Donald Trump's foreign policy, has recently urged the White House to enter into talks with Iran instead of heightening tension between the two countries. 101/205
Read More:
'B-team' will commit political suicide if their warmongering continues: FM Zarif
