Iran not to accept preconditions for normalizing ties with Germany: spokesman

Iran's Foreign Ministry has said that the Islamic republic will never recognize Israel as a precondition for normalizing ties with Germany, Press TV reported on Saturday.

"Ties between Iran and Germany are based on mutual respects and interests, and no precondition would be acceptable in this regard," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said.

German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, who will visit Iran on Sunday, said earlier that Tehran should recognize Israel before Berlin normalizes ties with Tehran.

Iran could have normal and friendly relations with Germany "only when it accepted Israel's right to exist," Gabriel said in an interview with the Germany weekly Der Spiegel.

"Iran considers defending the rights of the people of Palestine as a principle of its foreign policy and will never and under no circumstances will forsake the Palestinian cause," Qasemi was quoted as saying.

Hence, the German politician's position is "irrelevant," he said, adding that "the Islamic republic does not allow any country to interfere in its domestic affairs."

Following the implementation of Iran's nuclear deal in January, Tehran is struggling to restore its ties with European countries which had been affected by the U.S.-led economic and financial sanctions.

The deal which was sealed in July last year put an end to the decade-long controversial issue of Iran's nuclear program.

Source : XINHUA