Zarif Rebukes Trump Over Yemen War Veto; Rouhani Calls to “Drive Back Zionism”

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denounced the Trump Administration in a tweet, writing that, “Even the US Congress wants to put an end to US Central Command’s destabilizing activities in Yemen. But petrofinanced #NetanyahuFirsters [a reference to the Israeli prime minister] and their enabler in the White House will continue—with American lives and against US interests—to push for forever wars.” The assertion came after President Donald Trump this week vetoed a congressional resolution that sought to end American involvement in Yemen’s ongoing war, which pits a Saudi-backed Sunni coalition against Iranian-supported Shiite Houthi rebels. Washington has provided military support to the Saudi-led coalition during Yemen’s ongoing conflict, which began in 2015. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also chimed in Thursday during an Army Day address, calling on Middle East states to “drive back Zionism.” He labeled Israel and the United States as the root causes of the Middle East’s instability.