Iranian FM Zarif discounts prospect of war with United States
Iran's foreign minister on Saturday discounted the prospect of a new war in the region because Tehran was opposed and no party was under the "illusion" it could be confronted. "We are certain... there will not be a war since neither we want a war nor does anyone have the illusion they can confront Iran in the region," Mohammad Javad Zarif told state-run news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to China.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 03:49 | 18 May 2019
- Modified Date: 03:49 | 18 May 2019
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday he did not believe a war would break out in the region as Tehran did not want a conflict and no country had the "illusion it could confront Iran", the state news agency IRNA reported.
Tensions have escalated in recent days, with growing concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. Earlier this week the United States pulled some diplomatic staff from its embassy in Baghdad following weekend attacks on four oil tankers in the Gulf.
"There will be no war because neither we want a war, nor has anyone the idea or illusion that it can confront Iran in the region," Zarif told IRNA before ending his visit to Beijing.
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