“Despite Netanyahu’s claims, the fact is that illegal occupation lies at the heart of most of the calamities in our region. Historically, occupying another’s land has never been sustainable. This occupation, too --and the apartheid system that perpetuates it-- will not last long,” Zarif in a message posted on his official Twitter account on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Netanyahu claimed that Iran is increasing its influence in the Middle East and seeks to dominate regional countries such as Syria and Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq.
"Iran is building an aggressive empire. Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, more to come," he said in Washington on Tuesday while addressing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).