Iran's Ambassador at the World Cup: "Iran and the USA can be very good friends"
Kyiv • UNN
Iran's Ambassador called the national team's participation in the World Cup a signal for peace. He stated the possibility of friendship with the USA.
Iran's Ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, pointed to Iran's decision to send its national team to compete in the World Cup on U.S. soil as evidence of Tehran's stance, as the two countries move toward a potential peace deal, UNN reports, citing Politico.
Details
Although Iran was one of the first countries to qualify for the World Cup, U.S. President Donald Trump has been reluctant regarding the country's participation since the conflict began in February, and the U.S. State Department has not approved visas for all members of the Iranian delegation. After moving its pre-tournament camp from Tucson, Arizona, in the U.S., the Iranian national team is now training in Tijuana, Mexico.
Pasandideh commented on Iran's relations with the United States at a delicate moment. According to him, the visa denials for some of the Iranian team's coaches could negatively impact the team's performance.
But Pasandideh said: "The fact of our presence in the U.S. during the war sends a signal: we are for peace."
And he had a direct message for Trump.
"If the U.S. closes its eyes to the interests of Israel," Pasandideh said, "Iran and the U.S. could be very good friends."