The spokeswoman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry Marzieh Afkham (pictured above) said renewed relations with Germany will not change Iran’s stance on Israel. PHOTO: Fars News.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday said that Germany’s recent renewed rapprochement with Tehran would not sway the country’s policies towards Israel, semi-official state news agency Fars reported.

The comments were made by spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham in response to an interview German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel gave to German media outlets, saying that the renewal of ties with Iran should lead the regime to change its anti-Israel stance.

“With the nuclear agreement and the economic recovery that will surely come after it, Iran will also bear new responsibilities, at home and abroad,” said Gabriel, who was on an official trip to Tehran this week.

“You must understand that for us Germans, the security of the state of Israel is also of great importance,” he added.

However, Gabriel said differences over Israel should not affect efforts to improve Iran-German relations after the major nuclear deal, announced last week, which has given rise to the prospect of a major economic revival in Iran when sanctions are lifted in coming months.

“The test of true friendship is when you can discuss difficult issues openly, in a spirit of partnership and respectfully — that shows how close the friendship is,” Gabriel said. “Nothing needs to change in that friendship, even if we hold different views.”

Gabriel’s visit to Tehran comes after Iran and the P5+1 powers reached an agreement regarding Iran’s nuclear program in Vienna on July 14.