TEHRAN, Feb. 25 (MNA) � Iranian FM Zarif said Thu. Iran has the potential to reach the status of major economic, political and scientific power in the region.Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister, made the remark at a conference on �Evaluating Strategies for Obtaining Scientific and Research Authority� held at Tehran University of Medical Sciences on Thursday.

Zarif maintained that despite sanctions, pressures and unfair treatment, Iranian scientists managed to outshine many regional competitors, adding �I do believe what caused the world to take the decision to sit at the negotiating table with Iran using the language of dignity instead of sanctions was this very human capital.�

�The fact that we proved to the world that we seek dialog and interaction and our people are not separate from our government brought us to the point where countries instead of being afraid of paying reputational costs for interacting with Iran are now seeking to secure reputation with us,� he said.

Zarif went on to add, �to the point where the radical US�presidential�candidate [Donald Trump] says why Iran should purchase Airbus and not Boeing.�

�We have arrived at a point where cooperation with Iran is no longer a reputational cost but rather a site for competition,� he said.

The Iranian top diplomat stressed that Iran must become a major player in the field of science, economy, security and politics so that the world not only will be able to eliminate us nor will it be able to interfere with our domestic affairs.

By Mehr News Agency