WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is condemning a visit by Iran’s foreign minister to lay a wreath at the grave of a former Hezbollah leader the U.S. says was behind deadly terrorist attacks.
White House spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden says inhumane violence perpetrated by Hezbollah’s Imad Mugniyah had deadly and destabilizing effects for Lebanon and the region. She says Mugniyah is responsible for “heinous acts of terrorism” that killed hundreds, including Americans.
Hayden says Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif’s decision to visit Mugniyah’s grave sends the wrong message and worsens regional tensions.
The criticism from the White House comes days before an interim nuclear agreement is set to be enacted between Iran and world powers including the U.S. Iran’s president says the agreement represents the “surrender” of Western powers to Iran’s demands.