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IRAN'S AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW: "WE ARE READY FOR EVERYTHING TO UPHOLD THE HONOR OF IRAN"
Noyan Tapan - News from Armenia
2012-02-06 13:26:33 | | Politics
Exclusive interview of Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to
Moscow Seyed Reza Sajjadi to Mediamax.
- You mentioned in one of your recent interviews that the peace in
the region will be established in the region only if all the Western
military forces leave the region. Did Iran's official stance change
given the fact the representative of the Islamic Revolution Guards
Corps Hossein Salami made a statement on January 21 according to
which there is nothing unusual about the presence of U.S. navy in
the Persian Gulf? "American navy and military forces have been in the
Persian Gulf and Near East for already many years. There is nothing
uncommon about the fact that Pentagon sends a new warship to the
region. The step should be considered in the light of maintaining
the U.S. permanent presence in the region", he said.
- No, our stance hasn't changed. We believe the presence of military
forces of foreign states hinders the peace in this region. As for the
statement made by Mr. Salami, he meant the presence of warships which
is indeed a common practice given the fact that there were similar
placements of such ships in the past as well. Iran has already
got used to threats and they are not new for us. For this reason,
we don't think the presence of warships right and we support they
should leave the region.
- Some Western states threaten to take military actions against Iran.
Is Iran ready for the possible war?
- Iran is a powerful country and the Iranian people have formerly
proved that they are ready for everything to uphold their country's
honor. In this case, we have alternative variants. But we think if
there are intelligent politicians in the U.S., they will not take such
a step any more taking into account Americans' defeats in Afghanistan,
Iraq and other states.
- After the EU had imposed an oil embargo against Iran, Tehran decided
to make a step in return and be the first to stop oil supplies to
Europe. Who will suffer most due to this decision?
- The Western approach to Iran was unfair and based on double-standards
in the past. Currently, only 17% of our oil is exported to
Europe. Anyways, imposing an embargo can't exert a considerable
impact on Iran. For this reason, it's clear that Europe deprives
itself a very important "player" in oil supplies which doesn't take
part in the political games. And the politicization of oil will be
detrimental to Europe in the first place. If buyers start imposing
an embargo to the producers and energy resources suppliers, one day
the producer will start imposing an embargo to the buyers by stopping
selling energy resources to them.
- According to the data published by the Ministry of Petroleum of Iran,
2.5 cubic meters of Iranian gas is annually imported to Armenia.
May the embargo imposed against Iran affect the import of the Iranian
gas to Armenia?
- I am sure that the embargo will no way affect the import of the
Iranian gas to Armenia as we supply gas and not oil to Armenia. The
policy of Iran is based on the principle of creating a good image on
the gas market.
- How will Armenian-Iranian relations develop in 2012?
- Iran's strategic policy is based on the principle of establishing
the best relations with neighbors. For this reason, as a very good
partner of ours, Armenia has successfully collaborated with Iran and
this interaction will be very positive in the future as well.
- How do you assess Iranian-Azerbaijani and Iranian-Turkish relations?
- Turkey and Azerbaijan are our neighbors. Historically, we have good
relations with these countries. Of course, some arguments occur in
some cases but it's important to remove all these discords at the
right time.
- Russia refused to sell C-300 systems to Iran several days ago. Will
Moscow's step have an impact on Russian-Iranian relations?
- Of course, at first Iran was offended but taking into account the
historical ties between Russia and Iran we may say that the issue
is of no importance any more. We have such strong ties in various
activity spheres that the weakening of cooperation in one sphere
won't have a serious impact on the cooperation in other spheres.
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated several days ago that he
would do everything not to allow the military actions against Iran to
start which according to him will lead to a war and chaos. However,
at the same time he urged the international community to impose new
sanctions against Iran. How would you comment on this statement?
- When I speak to different diplomats here in Moscow, they mention
that Sarkozy very often changes his mind - there are many ups and
downs. That's why one shouldn't take his words seriously. We think the
military actions against Iran will be a great mistake. And sanctions
against Iran are also a great mistake. That's why they should recognize
our logical rights and abstain from applying double-standards to our
country instead of speaking to Iran in the language of force.
- Baku indirectly accused Tehran of recent hacker attacks to a number
of Azerbaijani sites.
- We deny these accusations. Perhaps, it was done by particular
persons but we think the internet space should be healthy, without
any interventions. And if Azerbaijanis have authentic documents and
reasons, let them turn to us and we'll deal with the issue.
- What do you think how much possible it is for Georgia to join NATO?
And what position will Iran hold if it takes place?
- We are convinced the West is interested in Georgia's membership to
NATO to destabilize the situation around Russia. If it takes place,
indeed it would be no way beneficial to the Georgian people, vice
versa - it will be a great loss for them. The more independent the
country, the better both for the state itself and the people.
- Have you ever been to Armenia?
- Unfortunately, I have been to Armenia only once. It was a short-term
visit for a few hours. Besides, I didn't leave the airport where
we were holding the negotiations. I have always been interested and
attracted by the Armenian culture which has much in common with the
Iranian one. The Armenian and Iranian people are very much alike by
the warmth and hospitability. Give my regards to the Armenian people.
Iran's Ambassador was interviewed by Narine Daneghyan specially
for Mediamax.
Noyan Tapan - News from Armenia
2012-02-06 13:26:33 | | Politics
Exclusive interview of Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to
Moscow Seyed Reza Sajjadi to Mediamax.
- You mentioned in one of your recent interviews that the peace in
the region will be established in the region only if all the Western
military forces leave the region. Did Iran's official stance change
given the fact the representative of the Islamic Revolution Guards
Corps Hossein Salami made a statement on January 21 according to
which there is nothing unusual about the presence of U.S. navy in
the Persian Gulf? "American navy and military forces have been in the
Persian Gulf and Near East for already many years. There is nothing
uncommon about the fact that Pentagon sends a new warship to the
region. The step should be considered in the light of maintaining
the U.S. permanent presence in the region", he said.
- No, our stance hasn't changed. We believe the presence of military
forces of foreign states hinders the peace in this region. As for the
statement made by Mr. Salami, he meant the presence of warships which
is indeed a common practice given the fact that there were similar
placements of such ships in the past as well. Iran has already
got used to threats and they are not new for us. For this reason,
we don't think the presence of warships right and we support they
should leave the region.
- Some Western states threaten to take military actions against Iran.
Is Iran ready for the possible war?
- Iran is a powerful country and the Iranian people have formerly
proved that they are ready for everything to uphold their country's
honor. In this case, we have alternative variants. But we think if
there are intelligent politicians in the U.S., they will not take such
a step any more taking into account Americans' defeats in Afghanistan,
Iraq and other states.
- After the EU had imposed an oil embargo against Iran, Tehran decided
to make a step in return and be the first to stop oil supplies to
Europe. Who will suffer most due to this decision?
- The Western approach to Iran was unfair and based on double-standards
in the past. Currently, only 17% of our oil is exported to
Europe. Anyways, imposing an embargo can't exert a considerable
impact on Iran. For this reason, it's clear that Europe deprives
itself a very important "player" in oil supplies which doesn't take
part in the political games. And the politicization of oil will be
detrimental to Europe in the first place. If buyers start imposing
an embargo to the producers and energy resources suppliers, one day
the producer will start imposing an embargo to the buyers by stopping
selling energy resources to them.
- According to the data published by the Ministry of Petroleum of Iran,
2.5 cubic meters of Iranian gas is annually imported to Armenia.
May the embargo imposed against Iran affect the import of the Iranian
gas to Armenia?
- I am sure that the embargo will no way affect the import of the
Iranian gas to Armenia as we supply gas and not oil to Armenia. The
policy of Iran is based on the principle of creating a good image on
the gas market.
- How will Armenian-Iranian relations develop in 2012?
- Iran's strategic policy is based on the principle of establishing
the best relations with neighbors. For this reason, as a very good
partner of ours, Armenia has successfully collaborated with Iran and
this interaction will be very positive in the future as well.
- How do you assess Iranian-Azerbaijani and Iranian-Turkish relations?
- Turkey and Azerbaijan are our neighbors. Historically, we have good
relations with these countries. Of course, some arguments occur in
some cases but it's important to remove all these discords at the
right time.
- Russia refused to sell C-300 systems to Iran several days ago. Will
Moscow's step have an impact on Russian-Iranian relations?
- Of course, at first Iran was offended but taking into account the
historical ties between Russia and Iran we may say that the issue
is of no importance any more. We have such strong ties in various
activity spheres that the weakening of cooperation in one sphere
won't have a serious impact on the cooperation in other spheres.
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated several days ago that he
would do everything not to allow the military actions against Iran to
start which according to him will lead to a war and chaos. However,
at the same time he urged the international community to impose new
sanctions against Iran. How would you comment on this statement?
- When I speak to different diplomats here in Moscow, they mention
that Sarkozy very often changes his mind - there are many ups and
downs. That's why one shouldn't take his words seriously. We think the
military actions against Iran will be a great mistake. And sanctions
against Iran are also a great mistake. That's why they should recognize
our logical rights and abstain from applying double-standards to our
country instead of speaking to Iran in the language of force.
- Baku indirectly accused Tehran of recent hacker attacks to a number
of Azerbaijani sites.
- We deny these accusations. Perhaps, it was done by particular
persons but we think the internet space should be healthy, without
any interventions. And if Azerbaijanis have authentic documents and
reasons, let them turn to us and we'll deal with the issue.
- What do you think how much possible it is for Georgia to join NATO?
And what position will Iran hold if it takes place?
- We are convinced the West is interested in Georgia's membership to
NATO to destabilize the situation around Russia. If it takes place,
indeed it would be no way beneficial to the Georgian people, vice
versa - it will be a great loss for them. The more independent the
country, the better both for the state itself and the people.
- Have you ever been to Armenia?
- Unfortunately, I have been to Armenia only once. It was a short-term
visit for a few hours. Besides, I didn't leave the airport where
we were holding the negotiations. I have always been interested and
attracted by the Armenian culture which has much in common with the
Iranian one. The Armenian and Iranian people are very much alike by
the warmth and hospitability. Give my regards to the Armenian people.
Iran's Ambassador was interviewed by Narine Daneghyan specially
for Mediamax.