Iran slams ‘Meddling’ statements of French foreign defense ministers

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has condemned the meddling and groundless statements issued by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. “Instead of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, they (French officials) should consider reforming the deplorable situation of human rights in their own country,” Mehmanparast said in statements. Mehmanparast dismissed the recent statements of the French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy activities as baseless. He reiterated that sanctions and pressure cannot force the Iranian nation to retreat from its basic rights to develop and possess nuclear energy, and advised the French government to adopt a realistic approach instead of “irrational behavior and remarks.” He noted that the nature of Iran?s nuclear activities is transparent and peaceful and Iran’s close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Organization is itself indicative of this transparency. Mehmanparast further described the Israeli regime and its Western allies as the root of insecurity and instability in the region. “The roots of regional insecurity and instability are the Zionist regime and its western supporters as well as all those who are active in the field sending weapons to the Middle East region’s Muslim countries and also sowing the seed of discord among the Muslim nations of the region and consequently intensifying the conflicts and bloodshed,” he said.