TEHRAN (AP) Iran's foreign minister said Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has become desperate after the Islamic Republic agreed last month to cap its nuclear program in return for easing Western sanctions.
A report by the semi-official ISNA news agency quotes Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying Netanyahu had deceived the world for a long time but "he is desperate now and he does not know what to do."
Iran agreed to freeze parts of its nuclear program in return for relief from Western sanctions while the sides try to negotiate a final settlement in the next six months. Netanyahu has sharply criticized the deal as not tough enough on Iran.
Zarif accused Netanyahu of floating negative propaganda to harm Iran's image, but says regardless the country's "integrity will remain steady."
The remarks appeared largely aimed at hardliners inside Iran who regularly allege Zarif has given excessive concessions to the West. Israel and the West suspect Iran's nuclear program has a military dimension. Iran denies the charge.
