West Ought to Talk to Iran and Stop “Harassment” and “Threats” – Cleric

The moderate Iranian cleric, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, told the Friday Prayer worshippers that the West ought to enter negotiations with Iran over its contentious nuclear project and refrain from “harassment” and “threats”. His remarks were broadcast by Iranian television, reporting the sermon he delivered at Tehran University:

[Presenter]: “Hashemi Rafsanjani advised the westerners to enter negotiations with Iran and to refrain from harassment and threats because they will not gain anything through these methods and Iran will stand up with all its might against their irrational demands.”

This senior cleric and former president has, also, said that Iran has developed its nuclear potential despite western reluctance to fulfil their obligations in their agreements with Iran. Iran television reported:

“[Presenter]: The Friday Prayer Leader pointed to the nuclear issue and said that all the countries of the West which had nuclear agreements with Iran and did not fulfil their part of the agreement owe Iran. He added that due to the fact that the westerners did not fulfil their commitment to Iran we are standing on our two feet and, presently, we consider ourselves as being amongst the countries which possess nuclear technology. Iran does not owe anything to any one.”

Originally published by Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, Tehran, in Persian 0930 30 Nov 07.

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