Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman: “Zionist Regime Unable to Threaten Others”

TEHRAN (FNA) Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini said that the Zionist regime of Israel is not in such conditions that it could pose a threat to other nations.

Speaking to reporters during a weekly press conference here on Monday, Hosseini condemned Israeli crimes in Gaza Strip, and described such brutal measures as a result of the so-called peace conference in Annapolis, the US.

He rejected speculations that a last week missile test by the Israeli regime was perceived as a threat to Iran, and said, “The Zionist regime adopts such measures and conducts these tests in a bid to reinvigorate the spirit of its soldiers who sustained a defeat in the 33-day war (against Lebanon) and this regime is not in such conditions that it could pose a threat to others.”

Asked about the next round of Iran-US talks over Iraq security, he said that no date has yet been fixed for the meeting.

He also said that no date has been decided for a visit to Baghdad by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, adding that some preliminary steps should be taken ahead of such a trip.

The spokesman further strongly condemned the stance adopted by an Austrian party leader against the Prophet of Islam (PBUH), and said, “The required arrangements have been made to address any kind of measure against sanctities of divine religions as a crime and to adopt appropriate legal measures against such moves so that we will not witness repetition of such acts in future.”

Elsewhere, he responded to the question if Tehran could remove all ambiguities and provide answers for all questions remaining about its past nuclear activities within the specified four-week deadline, and said, “Our cooperation with the (International Atomic Energy) Agency is moving on a good trend.”

Hosseini voiced regret over a meeting of the 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members – Russia, China, Britain, France and the US – plus Germany) foreign ministers in Berlin this week, and said such a session lacks a raison detre, considering reports by the IAEA and the US National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) stressing the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities and programs.

“Despite repeated reports by the Agency and ElBaradei’s emphasis on the non-diversion of Iran’s nuclear activities as well as the report by the US intelligence bodies, the United States is still seeking excuses and does not attach any importance to the technical and legal nature of the Agency,” he said.

“Iran will continue the constructive trend of (its) cooperation with the Agency.”

Hosseini also dismissed rumors about an impending resignation by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.