Iranian Foreign Minister Surprises Trump With Unexpected Visit To G-7 Summit

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif poses for a photograph during an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) at the residence of Iranian Ambassador in Paris on August 23, 2019. - Zarif said on August 23, ... Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif poses for a photograph during an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) at the residence of Iranian Ambassador in Paris on August 23, 2019. - Zarif said on August 23, 2019, that suggestions by the French President about defusing the crisis over Iran's nuclear drive went in the right direction, but more work needed to be done. The talks came one day before France begins hosting world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, for the three-day Group of Seven summit in Biarritz, south-western France, with the Iranian nuclear programme set to be a central issue. (Photo by Geoffroy VAN DER HASSELT / AFP) (Photo credit should read GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif unexpectedly showed up at the G-7 Summit in France on Sunday, a move that blindsided President Donald Trump.

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abbas Mousavi, Zarif was invited to the summit by French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Unnamed European officials told the Washington Post that French President Emanuel Macron was the only G-7 leader who knew about the visit ahead of time.

The Iranian foreign minister chose to accept Le Drian’s invitation “despite US efforts to destroy diplomacy,” the minister tweeted.

Three unnamed U.S. officials told NBC News that “no one was expecting” Zarif to show up, and that several Trump administration officials were incensed by Macron’s invitation.

Trump himself, however, simply told reporters “no comment” when asked for his response, according to the Post.

Zarif met with only Macron and Le Drian during his trip. Mousavi pointedly mentioned that the Iranian foreign minister had no plans to talk to Trump or any American delegates at the summit.

Notable Replies

  1. Our government is never surprised by the movements of people like that, particularly one coming into the bubble around the President.

    If the President and aides were shocked, it’s because the Intel folks chose not to give them a heads-up.

    Excuse me, have to go answer the door…

  2. Avatar for pshah pshah says:

    It’s been one indignity after another for Trump at this G7. It looks kind our European friends were more than ready for him, and as a patriotic American, I offer them my heartiest congratulations.

    From the French changing the agenda to emphasize climate change on the first day to Donald Tusk saying not only will Russia not be invited back in, but they may invite the Ukraine instead as an observer. Quite the slap at both Trump and Putin.

    Furthermore, Tusk went on to say a no-deal Brexit -which Trump favors- is totally in the hands of Boris Johnson and the hard Irish border is his problem to figure out. And now, Trump is just completely blindsided by the Iranian foreign minister visit. It’s hard to read that as anything other than an overwhelming disregard for Trump. Not even the American (nor Russian) intelligence agencies gave him a heads up.

    I’m so happy I’m not on that long plane ride back. There’s no way Trump goes to the next G7. That’s an easy guarantee.

  3. Trump himself, however, simply told reporters “no comment” when asked for his response, according to the Post.

    Chiselin’ Trump: “I have no comment. But, it was nasty of them to invite him.”

  4. Avatar for ghost ghost says:

    It surprised Trump — once several people had explained to Donnie who Zarif was and why it mattered that he was there.

    The French are masters at trolling. “See, Donnie, the rest of the parties to the JOPCA are going ahead without the US. You didn’t kill it. Same with the Paris Climate Accords. You want to talk about how you’re ‘the leader of the free world’ again?”

    Too bad Ivanka isn’t there for the French to troll her some more.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

402 more replies

Participants

Avatar for xpurg8d Avatar for silvrfox Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for squirreltown Avatar for teenlaqueefa Avatar for mickeyg Avatar for yskov Avatar for daveyjones64 Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for lastroth Avatar for leftcoaster Avatar for darrtown Avatar for pshah Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for tena Avatar for tsp Avatar for castor_troy Avatar for cub_calloway Avatar for kelaine Avatar for zillacop Avatar for outis Avatar for rascal_crone Avatar for paul_lukasiak

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: