Zarif: They cannot change Iran's policy, the country is in good condition

While U.S. officials have repeatedly called for a change in the behavior of the Islamic Republic in recent weeks, Iran's Foreign Minister said that "they cannot change Iran's policy with pressure and propaganda." According to ISNA news agency, Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday, August 6, referred to the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 countries regarding the JCPOA, stating: "During that time, they realized that they cannot change Iran's policy with pressure and propaganda." Regarding the country's conditions, Zarif said: "Try to set aside the black portrayal and discouragement of the people; our country is in good condition. Let us not allow a crisis atmosphere to be created about our country. We have gone through much harder conditions before, and the current situation is much better than before, so we can handle it." Speaking at a ceremony commemorating Journalist Day at the Foreign Ministry, he added: "Today is the day of reinstating sanctions. Of course, nothing will happen; during this time, they did what they wanted, and these had more of a psychological aspect." Washington is set to announce details regarding the resumption of some sanctions against Iran, including currency restrictions, on Monday, August 6. Zarif's statements about the country's "good" conditions come amid significant turmoil and tensions in the Iranian economy in recent months, particularly following Trump's election as president and his final decision to withdraw from the JCPOA. The rial has lost significant value against the dollar, the prices of gold and other goods have risen, and a wave of protests has emerged in various cities across Iran. The Iranian Foreign Minister acknowledged on Monday that "of course, these pressures cause difficulties for the Iranian people, and we have a duty to relieve the pressures and hardships from the shoulders of the people, not to impose pressure on them." Zarif posed the question, "Who believes that Trump wants to negotiate with Iran?" adding: "Negotiation must be valuable, and we must know what we are spending our time on." He stated that U.S. officials "are looking for a narrative to say that we are open to negotiation," but the Iranian people "certainly do not accept this." He further added: "Over the past two years, we had the longest negotiations in history regarding the nuclear issue with the Americans; we negotiated word for word on the JCPOA, and then Trump says with one signature that everything is void. Under these conditions, you still claim to be open to negotiation?" In recent days, the U.S. President has stated he is willing to talk to the Iranian President without preconditions. Donald Trump emphasized that Iran's economic situation is rapidly deteriorating, and ultimately it is the senior officials of the Islamic Republic who must decide whether they are willing to negotiate. On Sunday, Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that Iran's commitment to changing its behavior is a criterion for any negotiations with the Islamic Republic to be worthwhile. However, Iranian officials have rejected the U.S. proposal. The Iranian Foreign Minister also pointed to a meeting of the U.S. Secretary of State with a group of Iranians, claiming that "80 percent" of the participants in this meeting were non-Iranian. Mike Pompeo, two weeks ago, spoke to a group of Iranian-Americans and others at the Reagan Library about the people and government of Iran, corruption in the Islamic Republic, sanctions, human rights, and Washington's policies towards the Islamic Republic and Iranian citizens. Zarif also stated: "The Americans make noise that they are in contact with the people of Iran. On the other hand, Netanyahu has taken his tricks to the point where he sends a Twitter message every day and sheds crocodile tears." He accused Israel and Saudi Arabia of intending to "destroy" and eliminate Iran's "existence." Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has released video messages addressed to the people of Iran in recent months.