Tehran: Iran's Vice President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad-Javad Zarif has stated that Tehran should eliminate the influence of the United States from its foreign policy. At a recent conference at the Institute for Iran-Eurasia Studies (IRAS) in Tehran, Zarif emphasized that the U.S. is not an opportunity for Iran's foreign policy but rather a hindrance that must be addressed.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Zarif articulated that the United States acts as a nuisance or a chain that Iran needs to remove. He highlighted that Iran's relationships with other regions, such as Africa or Europe, should not be defined by its disputes with the U.S., as this approach does not garner support from other nations.

Zarif further stressed that while there is no need for Iran to establish friendly relations with the U.S., its foreign policy should ensure that other countries do not feel obliged to oppose Washington in order to engage with Tehran. He warned that without this approach, other nations might hesitate to strengthen ties with Iran.

The Vice President concluded by aligning with the view that Iran's foreign policy should primarily focus on regional engagement.