The foreign minister of the Islamic Republic said in a conference in Munich that the United States is pursuing regime change in Iran and that was their reason for leaving the nuclear deal.

After his speech, Zarif answered some questions about the possibility of negotiation with the United States, Iran’s missile activities, the possibility of war with Israel, terrorist operations in Europe and human rights in Iran. Zarif claimed that it is Israel who is after a war. He also denied any terrorist activity by the Islamic Republic in Europe.

Highlights of Zarif’s speech in Munich conference:

• They have presented Iran as an evil country and the past seven presidents of the United States have tried to demonize Iran. It is in the interest of the United States and the region to improve its relations with Iran.
• There is a high possibility of war with Israel.
• The United States is forcing other countries to violate the security council’s resolution about the nuclear deal (JCPOA). Both the vice president and secretary of the state criticized Europe during the Warsaw summit.
• Israel has violated the sovereignty of Syria and Lebanon and does it in the name of restricting Iran’s activities.
• The United States is the greatest cause of instability in the region. Iraqi lawmakers are currently drafting a bill to make the United States leave Iraq. Our support of Iraqi people has allowed them to defeat ISIS.
• It was the Americans who left the negotiation table, but we are still at the table. We want more cooperation between the governments of the region.
• We said that our patience is limited. It is important for us to keep our people happy.
• 51 percent of Iranians believe we should remain in JCPOA. We believe it is also in the interest of Europe to remain in the JCPOA.
• During the JCPOA negotiations, Iran announced that it will not design ballistic missiles that could carry nuclear warheads. The Russians and Americans know that our missiles cannot carry nuclear warheads.
• When Iraq was raining missiles on us no country helped us. I am not going to leave my country defenseless in order to please France.
• If the Europeans want to negotiate with us, they cannot act like interrogators.
• European sanctions on Iran are based on claims and not facts.
• Obviously, our country has not committed any terrorist act in Europe. We did not gain our influence through crazy measures.
• We (Iranian forces) were invited to Syria by the Syrian government.
• There is no human rights concern regarding the Khashoggi incident. Europe’s relations with Saudi Arabia is the same as before.
• (regarding human rights and arrests of activists) We have an independent judiciary. The government has no control over it. It is for the court to decide.