Cordesman: Chapter I – Introduction, US and Iranian Competition with Iran
2/25/12
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the confrontational statements often exchanged, Iranian officials have been known to express more moderate, constructive, and positive positions on the US and the West:
"Iran's cooperation with the agency (IAEA) is at its best level” Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, February 21, 2012.8
“The negotiations between the two sides (IAEA and Iranian officials) were held in a positive and constructive atmosphere.” –Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, February 1, 2012.9
“The U.N.'s chief nuclear inspector arrived in Iran on Sunday on a mission to clear up "outstanding substantive issues" on Tehran's atomic program, and called for dialogue with the Islamic state. We have always had a broad and close cooperation with the agency and we have always maintained transparency as one of our principles working with the agency.” –Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar, January 29, 2012.10 “Losing the European oil market will have an impact on Iran’s economy which needs rational planning by the authorities. Selling oil at sub-market level prices is not a good way to counter the oil embargo.” - Mehdi Hosseini, former Oil Ministry international deputy, January 26, 2012.11
"Trust can slowly be developed once again. We can contribute to this by moderating our tone...A policy of detente will be a central issue for me,"8 Hossein Mousavi, June 12, 2009.
"Following the Islamic Revolution, for some reasons, Tehran and Washington missed their chances to negotiate several times," relations with the US are “vital” and “must be restored,”9 Mehdi Karroubi, December 15, 2008.
"I believe all doors should now be open for such dialogue and understanding and the possibility for contact between Iranian and American citizens," but Iran feels "no need for ties with the United States.” “We sense an intellectual affinity with the essence of the American civilization,"10 Mohammad Khatami, January 7, 1998.
These comments – and those in later chapters -- demonstrate the conflicting attitudes held by “hardliners,” “moderates,” and “reformists” towards the US. No group supports US interests or reflects US values. All focus on Iran and Iran’s interests and many of the individuals involved take different stances at different times. Yet, it is clear there are key differences in how leading Iranian officials feel Iran should deal with the US, acts in the Gulf and international arena, and seek acceptance and inclusion in the international system. Iran’s leadership is scarcely monolithic, but it will take fundamental changes in the present top-level leadership of the regime to alter the growing confrontation with the US, 8
"IAEA Experts In Iran To Hold Talks, Not To Visit Nuclear Sites”, Xinhua Net, February 21, 2012. Available at: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-02/21/c_131423532.htm 9
“Iran, IAEA Delegation Wrap Up Constructive Talks In Iran”, Fars News Agency, February 1, 2012. Available at: http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9010173193 10
“UN Chief Nuclear Inspector Arrives In Iran”, Al Arabiya News, January 29, 2012. Available at: http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/01/29/191187.html 11
“Iran News Round Up January 26”, AEI Critical Threats, http://www.criticalthreats.org/iran-news-roundup/iran-news-round-january-26-2012
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