Zarif: Iran Will no Longer Issue Visas to Americans, Warns US of Creating Tensions over Missiles
Local Editor
Iran's foreign minister reiterated that Iran will no longer issue visas for Americans, describing the decision as a counter-action to Trump's executive order banning nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, from entering the United States.
Mohammad Javad Zarif added that "if there is an exception, it will be reviewed through the mechanism which has been created in the Foreign Ministry." Zarif spoke to the "Khorasan daily" on Tuesday on the sidelines of a joint press conference with his visiting French counterpart, Jean-Marc Ayrault.
Zarif on Tuesday warned the United States against "creating new tensions" with Tehran over ballistic missiles tests."We hope that Iran's defense program is not used by the new US administration... as a pretext to create new tensions," Zarif said in a televised press conference with Ayrault.
Additionally, Zarif said his country, as a stable and reliable partner, is ready to have long lasting cooperation based on mutual interests with Europe, France in particular.
Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with Ayrault who along with a 60-member delegation arrived in Tehran on Monday evening to participate in the Iran-France Trade Forum.
Zarif further noted that the Iranians' participation in various fields guaranteed dynamism of our economy against any type of foreign pressure.
Presence and participation of people in various fields has not only guaranteed Iran's security in the unsafe environment of the world and disappointed the extremists in all fields, but also guaranteed country's scientific and economic dynamism towards any type of domestic and outside pressure, Zarif added.
He said, "Iran has lots of economic advantages including rich mineral resources, distinguished geographical situation, scientific growth, young population and high competence to manage economic crises."
Iran with all these advantages is a reliable partner for other countries, the minister noted.
Zarif and his visiting French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault held talks that focused on the regional and bilateral issues.
The talks were held after opening of the Iran-France joint economic commission which is the first after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The members of the two sides' delegations are to sign four documents on cooperation at the joint economic commission.
Source: IRNA, Edited by website team
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