The Foreign Minister of Iran turned up entirely unexpectedly at the G7 summit in southern France. Javad Zarif arrived this afternoon with an Iranian government plane at the airport of Biarritz.
He would have a meeting there with the G7 leaders who are in the coastal town for their annual summit.
Diplomatic circles speak of a first-class stunt. Allegedly the French president and host Emmanuel Macron surprised those present. Italian Prime Minister Conte heard about Zarif coming from journalists.
French media previously reported that the Iranian aircraft was spotted by flightradar24.com, a website that tracks all aircraft movements worldwide.
Journalists asked Donald Trump about possible and astounding participation of the Iranians. “No comment,” said the US president. Host Emmanuel Macron spoke to Zarif in preparation for the summit last week.
According to French sources in Biarritz, the Iranian minister there will consult with unnamed high French government representatives. A conversation with the Americans is not foreseen.
Donald Trump recently reproached his French colleague for not pointing out that with his approach to Iran, he could speak on behalf of the United States.
European leaders have been busy for months trying to calm down the high-profile quarrel between the United States and Iran.
President Trump withdrew his country from the 2015 international agreement concluded by his predecessor Barack Obama, in which the lifting of trade sanctions against Iran was linked to a controlled curtailment of the Iranian nuclear program.