U.S. climate envoy and former Secretary of State John Kerry briefs on climate policy at the White House on Jan. 27.
U.S. climate envoy John Kerry denied Monday (April 26) an allegation stemming from a leaked audio recording. The audio suggested that Kerry leaked the number of Israeli attacks on Iran to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
“I can tell you that this and these allegations are unquestionably false. This has never happened, either when I was Secretary of State or since.” Kerry wrote on Twitter.
Kerry’s response was attached to a tweet message from a Washington Post reporter who quoted a State Department spokesman as saying that the number of Israeli attacks, was disclosed by Israel itself.
The WaPo reporter further shared a September 2018 Reuters report in which an Israeli official said the U.S. ally had carried out 200 attacks, against Iranian targets located in Syria.
It is unclear whether the leaks (secrets) Kerry was referring to were before or after the Israeli disclosures.
Prominent Republicans responded to the leaked audio by calling for Kerry to resign and step down or be fired.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-UT) said in a statement, “The allegations involving John Kerry are deeply troubling and must be explained immediately.”
Scott said, “Until we have clarity and the truth, President Biden must revoke all access to John Kerry’s national security intelligence and related briefings. If these allegations are true, he must resign.”
“If this is true, it’s treason and Kerry needs to leave office.” Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Ariz.) wrote on Twitter.
“This is a criminal act and John Kerry must be investigated and prosecuted immediately,” Rep. Elise Stefanik (D-N.Y.) tweeted, adding, “President Biden must immediately remove John Kerry from any government or advisory position. “
In the leaked audio, Iran’s top diplomat, Zarif, complained that the leadership in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has more influence than he does on foreign affairs and the country’s nuclear program.
Zarif said, “I could never ask a military commander to do something to help with foreign affairs.”
The relationship between the government of President Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatist, and the Guard is important because the hard-line paramilitary force is so influential that it will undermine any friendly relations with the West if it believes they could jeopardize its economic and political interests.
The IRGC’s long-held skepticism about befriending Washington could become quite critical if Iran and world powers open negotiations in an attempt to push for a return to the nuclear deal that President Trump pulled out of three years ago.
A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said Monday that the news channel had only published footage of a seven-hour interview with Iran’s foreign minister, but did not question the authenticity of the audio.
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