India among Iran’s Important Partners, Zarif Says (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described India as one of Iran’s “important partners” in the fields of economy and politics.
“India is one of our most important partners - economic, political and regional. We've regular consultations with India on various issues,” Zarif told Asia News International (ANI) upon his arrival in India on Monday on an official two-day visit to the country.
“I am here to have consultations with my counterpart on the most recent developments in the region as well as our bilateral relations,” he added.
Asked about Washington’s recent provocative acts in the Middle East, Iran’s top diplomat said, “Unfortunately, the United States has been escalating the situation unnecessarily. We do not seek escalation but we have always defended ourselves”.
Last Sunday, the White House made an announcement that the USS Abraham Lincoln and a bomber task force were being deployed to the region in response to what it described as unspecified "troubling and escalatory indications and warnings."
A statement from US National Security Adviser John Bolton said the deployments were intended "to send a clear and unmistakable message to Iran that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force."
