IRAN FOREIGN MINISTER APOLOGIZES FOR LEAKED CRITICAL COMMENTS

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has apologized for critical remarks he was heard saying about the country's political system in a leaked audio recording, Farshid Motahari reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

"I would like to apologize to everyone," Zarif, one of Iran's most high-profile figures and who has been foreign minister since 2013, wrote on Instagram on Sunday.

Zarif said he regretted comments he made in which he complained about the interference of Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), a branch of the armed forces, in diplomatic affairs. The remarks came in an interview conducted by one of President Hassan Rowhani's advisers.

The audiotape was allegedly stolen by "inner circles" and then published by Persian-language news outlets abroad. Later on Sunday, Iran's supreme leader criticized Zarif for his comments.

"We have heard statements in recent days that were very regrettable," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised speech. He said the remarks resembled US criticism of the IRGC.

"If someone wants to run for the presidency, they must follow the Iranian constitution and its Islamic principles, otherwise he is not suitable for the post," Khamenei said. Zarif is considered a potential candidate for the reformers in next month's presidential election.

The scandal has dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers for days as it seems to suggest a rift among the country's leadership ahead of the vote.

Rowhani, who cannot run for re-election, said the leak was a tactic by hardliners to help them win over voters as well as to hinder ongoing nuclear negotiations. "Why are certain things happening just when we are on the verge of success in the nuclear negotiations in Vienna?" the president said.

Talks continue in Vienna to revive a deal aimed at softening Iran's nuclear ambitions. The US left the framework under former US President Donald Trump but is working to rejoin and needs Iran to agree.

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