Iran’s FM to Head for East Asia after Tour of Europe

TEHRAN (defapress) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will begin a three-leg tour of East Asia on Sunday, shortly after visiting four European countries.

News ID: 78453

Date: 24 August 2019 - 13:09

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Saturday that Zarif would on Sunday start his East Asian tour, which will take him to China, Japan, and Malaysia.

A political delegation will accompany Zarif in the visits, which would take place as part of efforts to “pursue and carry out Iran’s active and balanced diplomacy”, he said.

“Bilateral ties and major regional and international issues will be among the topics in the consultations between Iran’s Foreign Minister and the officials of those (Asian) countries during the working trip,” the spokesman added.

The top Iranian diplomat returned to Tehran on Friday night from a tour of Europe that took him to Finland, Sweden, Norway and France.

In a message on his Twitter account at the conclusion of the European trip, Zarif said he held meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron and with Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris “despite US efforts to destroy diplomacy.”

He also highlighted the necessity for efforts to preserve multilateralism.

The acceleration of Zarif’s diplomatic activities comes after he was blacklisted by the US administration.

In August, the US Department of State designated Zarif for acting on behalf of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

The senior Iranian diplomat has dismissed the US move, saying that being designated by the US would not affect him since he has ho properties outside Iran.

He has received widespread public support and backing from the authorities after the US sanction.

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