(26.04.2021)

The release of the comments by Zarif set off a firestorm in Iran, where officials carefully mind their words amid a cut-throat political environment that includes the powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, ultimately overseen by the country‘s supreme leader. Zarif has been suggested as a possible candidate for Iran‘s June 18 presidential election, as well.

Zarif‘s comments might complicate talks in Vienna aimed at bringing Tehran and the U.S. back into compliance with Iran‘s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.