“We believe that the United States is pushing a new sort of violent unilateralism, an extremist unilateralism, which destroys all the foundations of global order,” said Zarif, as quoted by Press TV.

He made the comment in response to a question whether he agreed with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the Iran 2015 nuclear deal – officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – is in fact a contest between unilateralism and multilateralism.

Elaborating on the reasons why the US sticks to unilateralism and the best way to counter it, Zarif noted, “Multilateralism is the best counter-measure against unilateral tendencies by the United States.”

He also said that the US and particularly the administration of Trump “strongly believes in the use of coercive measures”, which “usually threaten the lives of ordinary citizens,” and “that is why Iran and China rightly called these actions by the United States economic terrorism.”

He also insisted that “dialogue and working for the common good and common destiny” were the best ways to deal with the “very negative tendencies” promoted by Washington.

“That’s how we view the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a program and as a process to bring about greater economic connectivity and greater economic growth and development to the countries within the BRI,” the Iranian foreign minister said, adding that this is the reason why Iran has supported the initiative and is a major partner to it.

Zarif also said that the BRI is important for Iran since “we see the Belt and Road Initiative as a possibility to enhance growth and connectivity and also to address some of the regional problems, including drug trafficking, poverty.”

He also said that Iran can willingly offer both its North-South and East-West corridors to promote the BRI.

Commenting on the months-long unrest in Hong Kong, Zarif said that Iran calls for holding talks to reach mutual understanding, insisting that intervention cannot solve problem.

He also lambasted the US for intervening in China-Hong Kong internal affairs.

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Speaking to reporters upon his arrival, Zarif said his schedule in China includes talks on the latest status of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), the situation in the region, as well as the 25-year roadmap to materialize Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two sides, and actively contribute to Belt and Road Initiative.

He said his Japan visit is the continuation of consultations and talks between the two countries, noting that it is his second visit to Japan.

About the aim of his visit to Malaysia, Zarif said “given the close views of Iran and the new Malaysian government, there was a need for coordination for cooperation in the Muslim world, as well as expansion of bilateral ties. This is why the visit is taking place.”

In an article published on Global Times on Sunday, Zarif discussed the significance of having close relations with China, commending “China’s continued support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear program and effective actions in order to overcome illegal and unilateral sanctions that have hindered Iran from realizing the economic benefits promised in the deal.”

The Iranian top diplomat has been having a busy schedule these past few days. His departure for China comes right on the heel of his visit to the French city of Biarritz where a meeting of the seven top economic powers of the world, known as G7, took place. The visit came at the official invitation of his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, to continue consultations on the recent initiatives proposed by Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

Zarif met with the French president on Friday after a tour of Scandinavian countries that included Finland, Sweden and Norway.

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