nuclear-news

Iran’s foreign minister criticises influence of Revolutionary Guards and speaks of nuclear deal in leaked audio

Iran’s foreign minister criticises influence of Revolutionary Guards and speaks of nuclear deal in leaked audio, ABC, 26 Apr 21, A leaked recording of Iran’s foreign minister offering a blunt appraisal of diplomacy, the limits of power within the Islamic Republic, and a key nuclear deal with the US has set off a firestorm within the country.

Key points:

• Iran’s Foreign Minister is heard saying Russia wants the 2015 nuclear deal between the US and Iran to fail, despite publicly supporting it
• Mr Zarif also criticised famed Iranian Guard General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated by the US
• The leak could affect US-Iran talks in Vienna, aimed at renewing the nuclear deal

The release of the comments by Mohammad Javad Zarif drew ire from Iranian officials, who usually mind their words amid a cut-throat political environment that includes the powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, ultimately overseen by the country’s supreme leader.

Mr Zarif had been suggested as a possible candidate for Iran’s June 18 presidential election.

When the leak became public, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh did not dispute the tape’s authenticity…… ……….https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-27/iran-foreign-minister-leaked-recording-revolutionary-guards/100096938

April 27, 2021 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Iran, politics