Iran's Zarif fires back at Tom Cotton's tweets

Iran’s foreign minister on Thursday fired back at Sen. Tom Cotton’s series of tweets calling for a debate on the U.S. Constitution, a day after the freshman Arkansas Republican proposed that the two meet in Washington to debate “Iran’s record of tyranny, treachery and terror.”

Mohammad Javad Zarif responded, congratulating Cotton on the birth on Monday of his son, Gabriel.


“Serious diplomacy, not macho personal smear, is what we need,” Zarif tweeted Thursday. “Congrats on Ur new born. May U and Ur family enjoy him in peace [email protected]”

Cotton’s tweets followed remarks by Zarif at New York University on Wednesday, in which he said United Nations sanctions would be lifted if there is a nuclear deal, “whether Sen. Cotton likes it or not.”

Cotton followed up his challenge with a tweet noting that he would “understand” if the foreign minister declined because “after all, in your 20s, you hid in US during Iran-Iraq war while peasants & kids were marched to death.”

Here’s the full Twitter exchange:

Hey @JZarif, I hear you called me out today. If you’re so confident, let’s debate the Constitution. 1/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Here’s offer: meet in DC, @JZarif, time of your choosing to debate Iran’s record of tyranny, treachery, & terror. 2/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

I understand if you decline @JZarif after all, in your 20s, you hid in US during Iran-Iraq war while peasants & kids were marched to die 3/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Not badge of courage @JZarif, to hide in US while your country fought war to survive-but shows cowardly character still on display today 4/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Serious diplomacy, not macho personal smear, is what we need. Congrats on Ur new born. May U and Ur family enjoy him in peace . @SenTomCotton — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 30, 2015

This article tagged under: Tom Cotton