Iran FM, US Senator get 'personal' in Twitter spat over nuke deal

Tehran: There is nothing new about US Republicans' opposition to an emerging Iran nuclear deal, however in a fresh Twitter spat over the issue, Senator Tom Cotton got personal with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif calling him a “cowardly character” and dared him to a debate challenge over Iran's “record of tyranny, treachery, & terror”.

A series of acerbic tweets attacking Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif were posted on Twitter by Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton on Wednesday.

Tom's tweets were in response to Javad Zarif's remarks at New York University on Wednesday, in which he claimed that a nuclear deal will ensure that United Nations sanctions would be lifted “whether Sen. Cotton likes it or not.”

The remark apparently implying how little influence the US Senator had on the nuclear deal in process, cut him to the quick, triggering a series of tweets lambasting Zarif for “hiding” in US during Iran-Iraq war “while peasants & kids were marched to death”.

Tom Cotton also dared Javad Zarif to confront him in a debate over his country's dire situation.

Anticipating a no from Iranian minister he said that his denial would be understandable given his “cowardly character”.

In a prudent yet curt retort, the Iranian minister replied back saying he expected “serious diplomacy” and not “personal smear” from the US Senator. He also congratulated Tom cotton for the US Senator recently had a baby boy.

Here are the tweets:

Hey @JZarif, I hear you called me out today. If you’re so confident, let’s debate the Constitution. 1/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

I understand if you decline @JZarif after all, in your 20s, you hid in US during Iran-Iraq war while peasants & kids were marched to die 3/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Not badge of courage @JZarif, to hide in US while your country fought war to survive-but shows cowardly character still on display today 4/4 — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) April 29, 2015

Serious diplomacy, not macho personal smear, is what we need. Congrats on Ur new born. May U and Ur family enjoy him in peace .@SenTomCotton — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) April 30, 2015

  In his remarks to the New York University, Javad Zarif was referring to a letter authored by Republican Senator Tom Cotton, which was also signed by 47 Republicans and was apparently aimed at warning Iran about any nuclear deal that may be signed with the US under the current Obama administration.

"It has come to our attention while observing your nuclear negotiations with our government that you may not fully understand our constitutional system," the letter said.

Calling the potential deal as a mere “executive agreement”, the Republican Senators have tried to threaten Iran that the deal may be revoked by just a “stroke of pen” and its terms could be easily modified after Obama leaves office in 2017.

In a menacing tone, the Republicans added that "most of us will remain in office well beyond (January 2017 when Obama's tenure will come to end)".