The Islamic Republic of Iran warns that “all options are on the table,” if the United States would withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, that has limited Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for international sections relief. In an interview aired yesterday by CBS’s “Face the Nation”, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed that an American withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement will bring about an “unpleasant” reality for the United States, a position the Trump Administration ‘should be wise to avoid.’ With regard to Washington’s decision to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, the Iranian top diplomate called the anticipated move “an affront to the entire Muslim world,” and to “international law.” Minister Zarif stressed that the United States would be much better served if it would follow a wiser “more prudent policy outreach.” With regard to the latest threats voiced in Iran toward Israel, Zarif warned that if the Jewish state would “continue to violate territorial integrity of other states,” as he put it, “there will be consequences.” That said, the Iranian top diplomat stressed that he does “not believe that we are headed towards regional war,” but accused Israel of continued violations of international law,” while using the United States as a so-called “smokescreen to hide behind.” Nevertheless, Zarif declared that he does not believe “the smokescreens work anymore,” warning Israel to stop its incursions into Syria and Lebanon, or else, face the consequences. “I do not believe that we are headed towards regional war, but I do believe that unfortunately, Israel has continued its violations with international law, hoping to be able to do it with impunity because of the U.S. support and trying to find smokescreens to hide behind. And I do not believe that the smokescreens work anymore.” / ” They should expect that if they continue to violate territorial integrity of other states, there’ll be consequences,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said.
In response to the comments made by the Iranian top diplomat; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who attended a ceremony of the military’s General Staff in honor of Israel’s 70th Independence Day, accused Minister Zarif of trying to deceive the international community. Netanyahu stressed that there was a tremendous gap between the words voiced by the Iranian Foreign Minister and the actions of his country that is actively seeking to annihilate the state of Israel. “I heard today the remarks of the Iranian Foreign Minister who accused Israel of violating international law. This is the foreign minister of a country that sends armed UAVs against Israel and missiles at Saudi Arabia. I also heard his moderate remarks and there is a tremendous gap between his words and the actions of the Revolutionary Guards which are moving an army against Israel with the avowed goal of destroying the State of Israel. I am not impressed by words. I rely on this forum and on the Israel Defense Forces which are prepared for any possibility and any scenario. I raise a glass to the State of Israel and the IDF,” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said.