Arms import: US masterminded trial of Iranian in Nigeria — Iran

[DT]

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has blamed what he called Zionist plot by those who want to destroy relationship between Iran and Nigeria for the trial of Iranian businessman in Nigeria over alleged illegal arms importation.

The Iranian businessman Azim Aghajani has been on trial alongside a Nigerian business agent in a Nigerian court over container-loads of arms intercepted at the Lagos port in October 2010. Speaking through an interpreter to a group of journalists who are attending a conference and exhibition of press and news agencies in Tehran yesterday, the Iranian Foreign Minister said it was a simple business transaction between an unnamed African country and the businessman which has no involvement of the Iranian government.

According to the Iranian minister, "the country that made the contact and planned to tranship the arms through Nigeria said it is legal but that American pressure changed the issue."

Speaking further on the matter, the minister said, "the plot is to force our businessmen to stop doing businesses and they know such falsehood, if it happens in one foreign country, it will make others fearful."

On the issue of Syria, Salehi said Iran is keen to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict there.

He said, "Everybody should help to bring an end to the armed confrontation there. We should facilitate national dialogue that can lead to parliamentary and general election in Syria.  Furthermore, the Iranian Foreign Minister considered the ceasefire of the Eid El-Kabir period as a good starting point even if it did not stop all hostilities in Syria.

Daily Trust

[KingFemzee]

We dont need no US to pressure us to know those weapons may be heading into the hands of boko haram. Prevention is better than cure.

[Nifemi Donald]

All i know is, whoever does evil, shall be exposed.