Zarif:

Trump should have listened to EU, UN, ex-US officials on Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif is highlighting confusion within the US political system in Trump era, asserting that even the American intelligence agencies “contradict” the US commander in chief and the rest of war hawks under his rule.

News ID: 443245

Date: 31 January 2019 - 16:59

RNA - In a tweet on Wednesday, the Iranian top diplomat suggested that Trump should have listened to advice from the parties engaged in negotiations with Tehran before scrapping the internationally backed nuclear deal.

#ThatAwkwardMoment

When @realDonaldTrump's own intelligence agencies contradict what he, the warmongers in his admin, and the Israelis say about Iran. He should have listened to the EU, the UN, and former US officials all along. pic.twitter.com/fszNJfCnen

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 30, 2019

US spies ‘should go back to school’

The Iranian foreign minister’s tweet followed two anti-Iran tweets by President Donald Trump, in which he attacked his intelligent chiefs’ assessment of Iran.

“The Intelligence people seem to be extremely passive and naive when it comes to the dangers of Iran. They are wrong! When I became President Iran was making trouble all over the Middle East, and beyond. Since ending the terrible Iran Nuclear Deal, they are MUCH different,” Trump said. “But source of potential danger and conflict. They are testing Rockets (last week) and more, and are coming very close to the edge. There [sic] economy is now crashing, which is the only thing holding them back. Be careful of Iran. Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school!”

The president was reacting to Tuesday statements by the country’s top intelligence officials before US Senate Intelligence Committee.

According to CIA Director Gina Haspel, in the wake of US withdrawal from the landmark nuclear deal, Tehran has been “making some preparations that would increase their ability to take a step back.”

During the hearing, Haspel was joined by US Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats, who acknowledged that Tehran is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons capabilities.

Trump withdrew the US in May 2018 from the deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and decided to re-impose unilateral sanctions against Tehran.

The US administration hoped to get the other parties to scrap the deal likewise, but instead, they stressed that not only would they stick to the agreement, but they would also work to sustain it in the face of increased US pressure. Europeans have on numerous occasions deemed the nuclear deal an important element of international security.

IAEA reaffirms Iran commitment

Iran’s commitment to the nuclear deal has repeatedly been reiterated by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

“Iran is implementing its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA,” said IAEA chief Yukiya Amano (pictured above), according to the text of a speech posted online by his agency on Wednesday. “It is essential that Iran continues to fully implement those commitments.”

He further noted that attempts to pressure Iran on more inspections are “counter-productive and extremely harmful.”

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