Zarif: Israel is playing a dangerous game against the Iranian nuclear deal

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif yesterday accused Israel of playing a dangerous game against the Iranian nuclear project, calling on the Middle East to “cooperate in order to face the dangers of terrorism and Israel”.

Speaking during a press conference in Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, Lebanon, Zarif said he will discuss “security and stability in the region” with Lebanese officials.

“We need cooperation and dialogue to counter the risks imposed mainly by Israel and terrorism,” he said, expressing his country’s desire to “have serious cooperation between the Lebanese and Iranian governments and people and to open new chapters for the benefit of region’s countries.”

Zarif began an official visit to Lebanon where he will meet with senior Lebanese officials including Prime Minister Tammam Salam, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil as well as Secretary-General of Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah, a Lebanese observer told the Anadolu Agency.

He is due to head to Syria today by land.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Arab Islamic Council, Shia scholar Muhammad Ali Al-Husseini condemned what he described as “Zarif’s suspicious visit to Beirut”. He said the visit was “malicious and hostile to the hopes and aspirations of the Lebanese people.”