Zarif Criticizes Trump's Tweet on Iran's Missile Test

Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic, described U.S. President Donald Trump as uninformed in response to Trump's recent remarks about Iran's missile test. On Wednesday, October 5, Zarif told the Associated Press, "First of all, we need to be informed about something before commenting on it. What worries me is that some people manipulate facts and present something else as reality." Reports emerged at the end of September regarding the test of a ballistic missile in Iran with a range of 2,000 kilometers that could target Israel. Following these reports, Donald Trump criticized Iran and the nuclear deal, tweeting, "Iran recently tested a ballistic missile capable of reaching Israel. They are also working with North Korea. There is not much of a deal between us." The Associated Press notes that Zarif's statements imply that such a test did not occur. Previously, some U.S. officials had stated that the footage aired by Iranian state television related to a previous test conducted months ago, during which the missile exploded in the sky. The Associated Press report also reflected Zarif's comments on Trump's new immigration order, which imposes new visa restrictions on Iranian citizens and citizens of seven other countries. Zarif emphasized that this immigration order is "an insult to the entire nation of Iran." He stated, "It is regrettable that the President of the United States has decided to antagonize a nation that has harmed no one due to irrelevant political issues." The Iranian Foreign Minister then added, "I believe we must respond to these actions of the United States to defend the dignity of our citizens." Trump had previously stated that the security of the United States is his number one priority and that he would not allow individuals whose backgrounds cannot be checked to enter the U.S.