Elham: Iran under no military threats
Iran-USA, Politics, 2/26/2007

Iran's Government Spokesman Gholam hossein Elham said today that the Iran is not under any military threat and no country poses such a threat.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing, he said the country is now under a very good and normal situation, adding that Iran never yields to any threats.

Sometimes, the enemies resort to psychological warfare but the recent comments made by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was a clear response to those who make such attempts, he said.

To a question on recent claim by the US under secretary of state that "Iran is ready for war," he said it it is possible that his remarks have been misquoted and it requires more studies.

"Our policy is based on peace and justice for all and we move forward based on the same principles," he said.

Iran's Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani said on Monday that the US should make formal request for talks with Iran if its relevant claim is true, and in that case Iran will approach it positively.

He said that if the US request is made through official channels and such talks prove to be constructive and rational, Iran will be prepared to consider it in a positive way.

In reaction to the remarks of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that Washington is ready to enter into talks with Iran on the condition of suspension of its uranium enrichment, he said, "We give no credit to such stances revealed through media, given that by talking through media the American officials pursue other goals." He underlined that any country willing to hold talks with Iran, should declare it through an official message.

"Iran will welcome just negotiations on the issue to solve the existing discords," he added.

Larijani said that the preconditions set by the US for holding talks with Iran are unacceptable and that this is against principles, given that they are expected to come up with a solution.

"Setting conditions means indicating the outcome of talks prior to holding them. Therefore, such a policy has not been answerable yet," he added.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator accused the US government of intensifying the Middle East crises, adding that Iran pursues the policy of promoting stability and tranquility in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Iran's Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said yesterday that the US wants to further increase its presence in the region, noting that it already has bases in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Azerbaijan.

"Foreigners have turned their eyes on our region to secure vital interests. These interests are so crucial they are ready to fight for them," Rafsanjani said.

"The eyes of global arrogance are acutely focused on the Middle East -- its resources, energy, oil and gas," he added.

The US, with its increasing need for energy, "has placed the Zionist regime in the region so as to advance its interests in sensitive areas through various means such as by causing discord in the region and promoting sales of military hardware.

"US President Bush proposed the Greater Middle East Plan which is aimed at increasing US presence in the region. The US has spent over 400 billion dollars for the plan which has seen thousands dead and tens of thousands of others injured." The EC chairman noted that the plan has been met with obstacles, one of which is the effects of the Islamic Revolution in the region.

He said US officials have explicitly stated that they spend "billions of dollars in the region but that the Islamic Revolution enjoys the benefits." US officials have warned Iraqi President Jalal Talabani that Iran was interfering in Iraqi affairs, but Talabani responded by saying "Iraqi officials are friends of Iran." Rafsanjani then urged the Iranian nation, armed forces and police to be wise under the current state of affairs.

"The Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei) has precise control over events... He will give the necessary orders and will lead the nation when necessary." He further noted the active participation of the clergy in national activities such as in the scientific and military arenas, and recalled their constructive role in the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

Meanwhile, Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami said yesterday that negotiation requires goodwill and not pre-conditions.

The US has refused international calls, including by the US Congress' Baker-Hamilton Commission, for direct talks with the US, saying Iran should first suspend its nuclear enrichment work.

Khatami, who is head of the International Institute for Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations, was speaking at a meeting with a visiting delegation of US Christian clergymen and religious activists.

The multi-denominational group is visiting Iran to talk with Iranian political and religious leaders and the people in the interest of promoting peace and easing current tensions.

"The Iranian and US nations are wise. The US committed big mistakes by occupying Iraq which only led to the "spread of radicalism," he said.

He further criticized the US for "arrogantly spurning well-intentioned proposals," and said it is obvious that today there is more violence and insecurity in Iraq than when Saddam Hussein ruled the country.

He also called on the US Administration to take bold moves to settle serious problems in the region which it has fueled.

"Any new crisis will harm the Middle East, Iran and the US." "In an interdependent world, security is an interdependent issue and this reality should be accepted," the former Iranian president said.

Meantime, The US has shown no policy change toward Iran, Deputy Foreign Minister for Educational Affairs Manouchehr Mohammadi said on Sunday.

He said that the US wrong policy in Iraq has caused great challenges for the US Administration in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine as well as with regards to Iranian nuclear program.

"The security pact drafted between Iran and Saudi Arabia and other states of the Persian Gulf would have been concluded if the US had not interfered with it," Mohammadi said.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Sadr not in Iran, says FM spokesman   (2/21/2007)
  Safavi: US needs Iran in the region   (2/21/2007)
  Rice would meet with Iranians if uranium enrichment stops   (2/21/2007)

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