On March 12, Iran’s Human Rights Council Secretary Mohammad Javad Larijani said that there is no need to produce enriched uranium if the West sells it to Iran. Larijani, a key advisor to the supreme leader, suggested that Iran “think about new models” for approaching the United States. “Hostility” between the two countries needs management, he told CNN's Christiane Amanpour.
Larijani also commented on the February talks in Kazakhstan between Iran and the world’s six major powers — the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia. Larijani said he is “a bit more cautious” than Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, who was optimistic about prospects for progress.
Amanpour asked Larijani about President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent corruption allegations against his family. “This is part of our democratic structure…we have political rivalry,” he answered. “[U]nfortunately it’s common in the democratic world…this is not alarming.” There are five Larijani brothers, and two head the legislative and judicial branches of Iran’s government. The following are excerpts from CNN’s interview with Larijani.
Nuclear Program and Negotiations
“They [Western countries] should sell it to us. If we can buy it like 15 years ago, we bought it some Argentina, then there is no need to produce it…”
“…[W]e can upgrade our generators and upgrade our centrifuge devices and other techniques, this is an honest-to- God right. It could be done; it is done under NPT provisions.”
“…[W]hat level of enrichment that we are entitled to do, this is another issue that also covered by NPT. So if the Western community wants Iran to stop development of this capability, this is -- this is very bad request…”
“… But if they [Western countries] are concerned about moving in the direction of producing nuclear armament, this is a fantastic concern we are questioning with them. We are ready to accept all mechanisms under [the] NPT to supervise this direction of our development.”
“I would like to share the [optimistic] view of Minister Salehi, but I'm a bit more cautious… They [the world’s six major powers] always asking the utmost
U.S.-Iran Relations
“Dialogue is one of the part and parcels of this modality of interaction. Perhaps in my view, United States wants Iran to accept this leadership in the -- in the [world] affair[s] or regional affair[s]. But I think this is a very bad request”
“But any initiative, leading any initiative is fantastic. So the basic is not that we are refraining or shying away from talking with the United States. The issue is that how we can restructure this relation after 35 years of hostility and, right now, unfortunately, it's at the peak of that.”
“Well, my recommendation -- let me put it this way -- first will be toward the United States government that let us design in the new models of relation with Iran, acknowledging Iran what it is. We do not want to be more than what we are. And the line of hostility was a grand failure, not only for United States' interests in Iran, also in the region.”
“For the Iranian side, my recommendation to the diplomatic machinery is that -- I mean, the -- also we should think about new models approach, even if United States considered an active hostile state, hostility needs also management.”
“For the Iranian side, my recommendation to the diplomatic machinery is that -- I mean, the -- also we should think about new models approach, even if United States considered an active hostile state, hostility needs also management.”
Political Infighting
“… I mean, this is part of our democratic structure. Yes, we have political rivalry. And the use of this kind of technique, while I don't think it is ethical, but unfortunately it's common in the democratic world.”
“Yes, there is competition; as you mentioned, we are a famous family in Iran and you can -- you can have similar to this kind of phenomenon in the United States and France and other places. I do not stipulate and do not accept this way of conduct anywhere with any adversary. But I think this is not alarming…”
“Yes, there is competition; as you mentioned, we are a famous family in Iran and you can -- you can have similar to this kind of phenomenon in the United States and France and other places. I do not stipulate and do not accept this way of conduct anywhere with any adversary. But I think this is not alarming…”
Click here for the full transcript.