Zarif:

B-team targeting Iranians with economic terror, war

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has slammed contradictory approaches pursued by US National Security Adviser John Bolton and what he calls "the B-Team," saying they are targeting the Iranian nation with "economic terrorism."

News ID: 444547

Date: 29 April 2019 - 17:27

RNA - "While @AmbJohnBolton and the #B_Team say the Iranian people 'deserve better', they’ve admitted to targeting them with #EconomicTerrorism,” Zarif said in a post on his official Twitter account on Sunday.

While @AmbJohnBolton and the #B_Team say the Iranian people "deserve better", they’ve admitted to targeting them with #EconomicTerrorism—and even war— in a delusional pursuit of “regime-change”.
But will @realDonaldTrump let them realize their dreams of another #ForeverWar? pic.twitter.com/QcT88Wwe5K

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 28, 2019

The Iranian foreign minister added that what the B-Team is doing by targeting the Iranian nation with "economic terrorism -- and even war --" is a delusional pursuit of “regime-change,” questioning whether US President Donald Trump would let them realize their dreams of another "Forever War."

The hawkish “B-team” is comprised of 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.

Speaking in a question-and-answer session at the Asia Society in New York on Wednesday, the Iranian foreign minister said the "B-team” is trying “to push Iran to take action” as a pretext for “crazy” and “adventurous” US actions.

“President Trump has a plan, but he’s being lured into not a plan but a trap,” Zarif said, adding, "It will cost another $7 trillion and even a greater disaster."

Also in an interview recorded on Friday, which was aired on Fox News on Sunday, the Iranian foreign minister said all measures adopted by the administration of President Trump in dealing with Iran conveyed a message that "the United States is not reliable."

"Maybe he [Trump] believes in America first, but America cannot be first in a globally insecure environment," Zarif told the "FOX NEWS SUNDAY".

"We all need to work together in a global environment that is safe and you can only live in a safe global environment if you respect yourself by respecting your signature," he added.

He once again emphasized that the B-Team seeks to "lure" the US into a confrontation with Iran that Trump himself does not want.

"They have all shown an interest in dragging the United States into a conflict," Zarif said of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates plus White House National Security advisor.

847/940