Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Jawad Sarif has accused the US of „pathological obsession“ with Tehran and rejected the accusation that his government is planning a new holocaust. This is „laughable, but at the same time very, very dangerous,“ said Sarif today at the Munich Security Conference.
Reaction to pence statements
He responded to US Vice President Mike Pence, who warned again yesterday in Munich against an Iranian attack on Israel: „The Iranian regime advocates a Holocaust and tries to reach him.“
Sarif used his speech for a general settlement with the United States. He spoke of „ignorant hate speech by American officials,“ accusing the US of „hateful allegations,“ „hostility,“ and „demonization“ of Iran. The Foreign Minister also accused the Americans of wanting to bring about a change of government in Iran: „The US does nothing else, only that.“
„Breaking a UN resolution is required“
He sharply criticized that the US is calling on Europeans to break the agreement to prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb. That is a „farce“. „It is required to break a UN Security Council resolution.“ It was in Europe’s interest to stick to the agreement.
The United States and Europeans agree that Iran’s interference in regional conflicts must be stopped. But they rely on different means. Germany wants to save the agreement with France and Great Britain to prevent the military use of the Iranian nuclear program, which in turn provides economic incentives.
The US has dropped out and wants to put pressure on Iran with ever-tougher sanctions. Pence had again asked the Europeans on Saturday to switch to the US course.
