German minister: Iran must recognize Israel

German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel insists that Iran will only be able to have normal relations with his country if it recognizes Israel.

 

Speaking to the Der Spiegel news magazine and quoted by Reuters, Gabriel said Iran could only have normal, friendly relations with Germany when it accepted the right of Israel to exist.

 

His comments come ahead of a visit to Iran next week. Gabriel said he plans to raise concerns about Iran’s role in the war in Syria and its human rights record during his visit to Tehran.

 

Gabriel made similar remarks during a previous visit to Iran last year, when he said Iran must recognize Israel in order to have economic relations with Germany.

 

“Questioning [Israel’s] right to existence is something that we Germans cannot accept,” he said at the time.

 

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