- The Washington Times - Friday, February 20, 2015

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told his top foreign minister, Javad Zarif: Stop yelling at U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

The Islamic Republic Supreme Leader sent out word this week, saying that Mr. Zarif needs to tone it down and treat Mr. Kerry, as well as other foreign diplomats, with a bit more respect, the Washington Free Beacon first reported.

Mr. Zarif’s temper has been well-reported in Iran’s government-run press. His reputation is that he “frequently shout[s] at Western diplomats” with such force that guards are sometimes called to the scene, Fox News reported.

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton, meanwhile, said Mr. Zarif’s rants are so common that she shrugs them off, Fox News said.

And one Iranian diplomat, Abbas Araqchi, said Mr. Zarif did indeed “shout” at Mr. Kerry and at one point, spoke to him in an “unprecedented” manner, the news outlet said.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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