Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has – in an interview with Etemaad daily – shown reaction to a controversial remark by the former government on sanctions.

"How did you feel when you heard [the former president say] "Issue resolutions until you are blue in the face?" the daily asked.

"Certainly I did not favor such rhetoric. Neither back then did I want to react to those comments; nor now does finger-pointing serve our national interests," Zarif said.

The foreign minister went on to say, "We have to form a united front inside Iran to stand up to those who want to impose their will on our nation.

I believe it is not time for political infighting or finger-pointing. As the Supreme Leader has designated this year as the year of solidarity and harmony, we need to unite and work out a nuclear solution that both has the backing of the Leader and serves our national interests."

By IFP