Araghchi says Israel is sole barrier to nuclear weapons-free Middle East

Israel is the only obstacle to establishing a Middle East free of nuclear weapons, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi was quoted as saying in a meeting with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani on Saturday morning.

Israel is known for possessing dozens of nuclear weapons, although it has never declared itself a nuclear power.

Araghchi, who is in Rome for the second round of talks between Iran and the United States, added that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that the country rejects weapons of mass destruction based on its religious, national, and defensive principles.

"Israel is driving Iranophobia and instability in the Middle East," ISNA semi-official news outlet quoted Araghchi as saying.

It added that Araghchi called on Europe and the international community to adopt a responsible stance free from such stereotypes against Iran.