‘Foreigners More Resolved to Work with Iran after Trump Rhetoric’

Iran’s Economy Minister Massoud Karbasian says the remarks made by US President Donald Trump against Iran and the Iran nuclear deal (known as the JCPOA) has not only not had a negative impact on foreign cooperation with Tehran, but made foreigners more determined to further cement their partnership.

“The United States’ new strategy had no negative effect on international cooperation with Iran; rather, it made foreign sides more resolute,” Karbasian told IRNA in Washington on Monday before leaving for Tehran.

He was there to attend an annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“During my visit to Washington, I had meetings with nine economy ministers from European and Asian countries. All of them believed Iran had lived up to its commitments under the JCPOA,” he said.

Karbasian noted all the ministers he met were of the opinion that Trump’s comments were tantamount to a breach of promises.

He said Trump’s remarks were just rhetoric and inappropriate.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the minister touched upon his trip to Washington and his attendance in the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

He said the trip was an opportunity to attend meetings on issues facing the World Bank, and also to hold one-on-one talks with officials of different countries to discuss bilateral issues.

“Economic and banking cooperation, credit lines, implementation of projects, foreign investment and multilateral cooperation were among the topics discussed in the meetings,” said the minister.

High on the agenda of this year’s World Bank conference, he said, was discussions on taking the private sector on board to finance measures to develop countries.

“They recommended obstacles be removed, so that the private sector will be able to contribute to development projects as well,” he noted.