Unexpected visit by Iranian minister surprises G7 summit participants

(Patria) – Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Biarritz on Sunday to, as many claim, 'unexpectedly' join the G7 summit.

However, the Iranian minister did not attend the summit but responded to the invitation of the French Foreign Minister to discuss the future of the fragile nuclear deal with the French President and his entourage.

Zarif announced via Twitter a photo from the meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and other French officials on Sunday evening, calling it a meeting 'on the sidelines of the G7 summit'.

He commented that 'the path ahead is difficult', but also that 'it is worth trying', and expressed satisfaction with the French President's efforts to preserve the nuclear deal.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel commented that the meeting between Iran and France was 'parallel' but not an official part of the G7 summit.

While US President Donald Trump did not wish to comment on the presence of the Iranian minister in Biarritz, former US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, announced via Twitter that the invitation to Iran was a sign of 'disrespect' towards the US President, calling Macron's move 'manipulative' and 'insincere'. Haley also stated that 'Iran supports terrorism at every step' and still wishes 'death to America'.

At the same time, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Minister Zarif was invited by the French Foreign Minister to 'continue discussions on recent initiatives' by Iran and France. The statement also stated that 'the visit will not include meetings with the US delegation'.