Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman, Marzieh Afkham has rejected German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel's call for Iran to improve relations with Israel.
Tehran and Berlin have quite different viewpoints towards some regional issues, Afkham said, Iran's ISNA news agency reported July 20.
She also said that it is not a recent issue and Iran has made clear its viewpoints over the past 35 years on various occasions.
Gabriel, who is in Tehran for an official visit, has urged Iran to improve relations with Israel if it wants to form closer economic ties with Germany. He is the first major western politician to visit Iran since a nuclear deal was agreed between Tehran and P5+1(the US, UK, Germany, France, Russia, China) last week. After several months of talks, on July 14, the sides announced a final accord, curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of most international sanctions.
The German official further said that his country was willing to act as a mediator between Iran and Israel in order to help improve their relationship.
Meanwhile Afkham said that during the German vice chancellor's stay in Tehran, the Islamic Republic would explain its concerns and viewpoints regarding regional issues, including Israel's threats.
Gabriel arrived in Tehran on July 19 to discuss Iran-Germany economic ties in post-sanctions period. He met Iran's Oil Minister, Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and Energy Minister, Hamid Chitchian, on July 20 and is also scheduled to meet President Hassan Rouhani. During his three-day visit, Gabriel will also speak to Iran's human rights representatives.
Edited by CN