Iran's Zarif calls on neighbours to co-operate following Trump's defeat

Betting on foreigners does not bring security, says Iranian foreign minister

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaks at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon August 14, 2020. Reuters

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called on his country’s neighbours to co-operate in achieving common interests after US President Donald Trump’s defeat in the presidential election.

“Trump is gone, and we and our neighbours will stay. Betting on foreigners does not bring security, and disappoints. We extend our hands to our neighbours to co-operate in achieving the common interests of our peoples and countries," Mr Zarif said on Sunday.

Iran has not officially congratulated newly elected US President Joe Biden on his win.

"We call on everyone to embrace dialogue as the only way to end differences and tensions. Together to build a better future for our region," Mr Zarif said on Twitter.

Mr Biden said that he would rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran deal, which was signed during the Barack Obama administration in 2015. The US unilaterally pulled out of what President Donald Trump called "one of the worst deals" in 2018, resulting in Iran's nuclear enrichment efforts to continue.

“If Iran returns to strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the United States would rejoin the agreement as a starting point for follow-on negotiations,” Mr Biden wrote in a column published by CNN in September.

It is unclear whether Iran will accept renegotiating with the US on the nuclear deal.