Iran Press/ Iran news: In an exclusive interview with Arabic channel Russia Today aired on Tuesday, Ali Akbar Velayati also supported the recent visit by President Hassan Rouhani to Tokyo, said his website which published the text of the interview in Persian.
"Iran and Japan have a long-standing and satisfactory relations, and the two Asian countries have always enjoyed political, economic and cultural ties," he said expressing the hope that Japan will show further independence in its foreign policy despite the US pressures.
To a question, he rejected rumors on relations between Iran and the US and said, "There is no relation whatsoever between Iran and the US."
"Ever since the Americans unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal), they practically breached the agreement. If they returned to the deal, the issue can be pursued collectively and under JCPOA," he said urging the UN nuclear watchdog not be affected by the US and Zionists rumors and propaganda.
He said Iranians have gained the experience in the last 40 years by living under US sanctions and know well how to take action under such conditions.
Velayati also deplored the stance taken by Britain, France, and Germany under the nuclear agreement with Iran and said, they are following the US policies in the nuclear issue which is doomed to failure.
"If they want to have an influence and relationship in the region, they have to practice an independent policy. If they don't act based on the JCPOA, there is no reason that we should remain committed to it."
When asked about the impeachment of US President Donald Trump, Iran's ex-foreign minister said the move to impeach him revealed that he does not deserve to be a president and has created a lack of confidence in the US at the global arena after taking the office.
Regarding the developments in Iraq, the Iranian statesman hailed the Lebanese nation's prudence and said Tehran will respect the decision of the people of Lebanon. "We have close bilateral relations marked by mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of each other."
Also to a query to the recent unrests in neighboring Iraq, the senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader said the people of Iraq who severely suffered under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship have the right to determine their government.
"We respect whoever is endorsed by the Iraqi people and parliament. While Iran and Iraq enjoy very close relations, we are doing nothing to promote a certain way of thinking there," he said adding that recent developments in Iraq have nothing to do with Iran.
Turning to the crisis in Syria, Velayati said Iran has been supporting the Syrian people in the last eight years and warned that the crimes committed by the Zionist regime of Israel in attacking Syria will not pass without a response.
"Tel Aviv will regret committing these crimes. The resistance forces in Syria and Lebanon will encounter with the US and Israeli crimes. Israel is weak and not able to carry out its threats against Iran."
When asked on Iran's relations with Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf countries, he replied: "If they are after peaceful co-existence and observing the criteria, we welcome it and suggest that Saudi Arabia or other countries learn from the fate of those countries that failed to understand such sensitive issues."
"Good neighborliness is our prime cornerstone," said Velayati.
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