Iran: Will not enter talks if Israel participates
Responding to possible Israeli participation in talks between Iran, world powers over Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Islamic republic's FM Zarif says 'We will not attend meeting in which occupying regime participates'
Iran's foreign minister says his country will not enter nuclear talks with its arch-enemy Israel.
A Friday report by official IRNA news agency quotes Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying "We will not attend a meeting in which the occupying regime participates." Iran refers to Israel as an occupying regime because it controls territories claimed by Palestinians.
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The report said Zarif's remarks were in response to possible Israeli participation in talks between Iran and world powers over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
Last weekend Iran agreed to freeze parts of its nuclear program in return for the easing of Western sanctions.
Israel and the West suspect Iran's nuclear program has military dimension, a charge Iran denies.
Iran does not recognize Israel and supports militant anti- Israeli groups like Palestinian Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah.
After the nuclear deal was signed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal was a "historic mistake."
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