Zarif Hits Back At Saudi Official: ’Normal’ Countries Don’t Operate Abattoirs Disguised as Consulates

By Staff, Agencies

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir for making remarks against the Islamic Republic, saying a "normal" country does not refuse to talk.

Zarif took to his official Twitter account on Friday to give response to al-Jubeir who told CNBC on Thursday that a restoration of ties with Iran will be possible when Iran "returns to a normal state."

Speaking at a World Economic Forum panel in Davos, Switzerland, al-Jubeir claimed the Islamic Republic is “meddling” in Iraq’s internal affairs and said, "The Iranians have to show good faith, the Iranians have to change their behavior and their policies."

In his tweet, Zarif said Saudi Arabia cannot be called a “normal” country when it caused a humanitarian crisis in Yemen and killed its dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the kingdom's consulate in Turkey.

"'Normal' countries don’t operate abattoirs disguised as consulates. ‘Normal’ countries don’t attack their neighbors, cause a humanitarian crisis, and refuse to talk," he said.

Meanwhile, Zarif said Tehran was ready for talks without any preconditions.

"Nonetheless, WE don’t set preconditions for dialog," he added.