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US, Israel stoking war in the Middle East, Iran’s foreign minister says

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US, Israel stoking war in the Middle East, Iran's foreign minister says

The United States of America and Israel have both been accused of seeking war in the Middle East by Iran which warned that the activities of both countries are increasing the chances of a clash in the region.

The warning was issued by Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif while he was addressing the Munich Security Conference.

He also criticised the U.S. administration after Vice President Mike Pence this week called on European powers to pullout of the nuclear deal with Iran.

“Certainly, some people are looking for war … Israel,” Zarif said. “The risk (of war) is great. The risk will be even greater if you continue to turn a blind eye to severe violations of international law.”

Accusing Israel of violating international law after bombing campaigns in Syria, Zarif criticised European powers for not calling out Israel and the United States for their behaviour in the region.

Read also: Iran & Israel engage in war of words, threaten to attack each other

“Israeli behaviour is putting international law on the shelf, U.S. behaviour is putting international law on the shelf,” he said.

Zaif’s comments comes days after Israel and Iran were involved in a war of words with both countries threatening to attack each other as the Islamic Republic celebrated the 40th anniversary of its revolution.

The first barb was fired by a commander from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who threatened to destroy the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa, if the United States attacks Iran.

“The US should know that we would raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground in the event of a military attack on us,” General Yadollah Javani, head of the guard’s political bureau, was quoted as saying.

The comments provoked a strongly worded response from Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who was quick to respond saying later on Monday it would mark Iran’s last revolution anniversary if it attacked any city in Israel.

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