Latest news with #Larijani
Memri
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Former Iranian Deputy FM Mohammad-Javad Larijani: If the U.S. Attacks Us, We Will Attack Washington as Well as U.S. Bases and Interests in the Region
Former Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Larijani addressed U.S. President Donald Trump's doubts about Iran's nuclear program during a May 19, 2025 appearance on IRINN TV (Iran). Larijani said: 'How dare he have doubts?' and added that it is not Iran's responsibility to relieve American concerns. He asserted that the United States has no right to even discuss Iran's nuclear activities. Larijani stated that Iran remains committed to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), although he described the treaty as 'imaginary' and 'dead,' claiming that Iran's actions still fall within its framework. He assessed the likelihood of the U.S. using military force against Iran as 'not high,' warning that such a move would trigger a prolonged war that America would not win. If Iran is attacked, he said, it would strike not only Washington, but also American interests and military bases globally, declaring: 'They will become legitimate targets.'
Shafaq News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
No winners in war: Iran defies US red lines on nuclear enrichment
Shafaq News/ Prominent Iranian conservative politician and former judiciary official Javad Larijani dismissed the likelihood of a war between Iran and the United States, warning that any such conflict would be prolonged and without a clear victor. Speaking to Iranian media, Larijani said, 'A military confrontation remains a remote possibility, as Washington knows it would not emerge as the winner in such a war.' His remarks come amid renewed tensions over Iran's nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran's position on uranium enrichment, stating that the country will continue its nuclear activities despite mounting US pressure. 'No matter how often they repeat their statements, our stance will not change,' Araghchi said. 'We are continuing enrichment. It is our clear and legitimate right.' The statement was issued in response to comments made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who declared that halting uranium enrichment in Iran is a "red line" for the United States and not subject to negotiation in ongoing nuclear talks. 'US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had conveyed this position directly to both Iranian officials and the American public,' Leavitt said.
Rudaw Net
03-05-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Nuclear talks must secure Iran's interests or be abandoned, says Khamenei aide
Also in Iran Tehran blasts West as nuclear talks with US postponed Iran port blast death toll reaches 70 Iran port still burning as blast death toll reaches 40 Large blast rocks south Iran port A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A top aide to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Saturday that nuclear negotiations with the United States should be abandoned if they do not safeguard Iran's interests. 'I express my opinion that the issue of negotiation or non-negotiation and these matters revolves around the national interests of the country. There is neither inherent goodness nor inherent ugliness. When you think that the interests of the country should be secured through negotiation, you should note that if the negotiation does not achieve its interests, there is no reason to continue it,' Ali Larijani said during an event at Shahed University, state media reported. Tehran is currently engaged in new indirect talks with Washington about its nuclear program and sanctions relief. Both sides have said that the discussions are proceeding well, but a fourth round has been postponed. Larijani noted the challenges the country faces under harsh sanctions and accused the US of politicizing the issue. 'It is not really a legal issue, because if it were, the IAEA should have given an opinion, there would be no reason for them to negotiate. The essence of this issue is political,' he said, referring to the global nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is monitoring Iran's nuclear program. The US on Wednesday announced new sanctions targeting Iran's oil trade. On Thursday US President Donald Trump called for a global boycott of all Iranian oil and petrochemical products, writing on Truth Social that 'all purchases of Iranian Oil, or Petrochemical products, must stop, NOW!', as reported by AFP. Iran on Friday condemned the new sanctions. Larijani accused the US of bullying. 'Today's world is bully-like. They say force. Iran says I need nuclear knowledge and I accept and abide by the accepted frameworks. But they say that is not our opinion and they say force,' he said. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, told United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a phone call on Friday that contradictory statements and actions by US officials, coupled with sanctions and threats, have deepened Iran's distrust in Washington's commitment to diplomacy, the ministry said in a statement. Araghchi said Iran remains committed to its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, 'while insisting on its right to possess nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.' Iran has maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful and it does not seek a bomb, though Larijani in early April warned that Tehran will have 'no choice' but to develop nuclear weapons if it comes under 'any attack' by the US or Israel, signalling a potential shift under Khamenei, who has long opposed atomic weapons on a religious basis.
Al Manar
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Iranian FM Reaffirms Nuclear Rights, Urges Western Commitment to Diplomacy
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran's commitment to diplomacy in resolving the 'fabricated crisis' over its peaceful nuclear program, emphasizing that continuing down this path requires genuine political will and a realistic approach from the other side. In a phone call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Araghchi stressed that Iran, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), remains committed to its obligations. However, he firmly reiterated Iran's legitimate right to peaceful nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment as a necessary component. Araghchi pointed to 'bitter past experiences' of broken promises by other parties, noting that any balanced, fair, and sustainable agreement must avoid introducing extralegal demands and instead include serious guarantees—particularly regarding the lifting of sanctions and ensuring Iran's economic benefits. He criticized the contradiction between US statements and actions, citing continued sanctions and threats as deepening mistrust and casting doubt over Washington's sincerity in pursuing diplomacy. Engagement with Europe and Hope for Constructive Dialogue He also referred to multiple rounds of dialogue with Germany, France, and the UK over the past year, reaffirming Tehran's readiness to continue engaging with European partners and expressing hope they adopt a constructive approach to peacefully resolve the disputes. UN Secretary-General Guterres, for his part, underscored the importance of continuing indirect talks between Iran and the US until a resolution is achieved. Iran's Right to a Full Nuclear Fuel Cycle In a separate post on X, Araghchi asserted that 'repeating lies does not change fundamental truths,' declaring that as a founding member of the NPT, Iran has the inherent right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle. While generally avoiding public commentary on negotiation details, Araghchi noted that many NPT members enrich uranium while rejecting nuclear weapons altogether—highlighting that this 'nuclear club' includes several Asian, European, and South American nations alongside Iran. I generally refrain from airing arguments on key negotiation elements through the media. What I will say is that repeating falsehoods will not change basic facts. As a founding signatory to the NPT, Iran has every right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle. Moreover, there… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 2, 2025 He warned that extreme positions and provocative statements would only 'destroy chances for success.' Larijani: Talks with the US are political, not legal Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, a senior member of Iran's Expediency Council, said on Saturday that negotiations with the United States over the nuclear issue are 'political, not legal.' Speaking at Shahed University, Larijani argued that if the matter were purely legal, discussions would be with the International Atomic Energy Agency—not the US or European states. He described negotiations as a tool that should serve national interests, stating, 'If talks fail to ensure those interests, they lose their justification.' Larijani concluded that while talks may or may not yield results, their success hinges entirely on the fairness and rationality of the opposing side. 'The reality behind many global rules and norms,' he added, 'is not institutional order—but power.' He emphasized that Washington today seeks to project its power and extend its influence globally, and this continues to define its behavior on the international stage.
Memri
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Ali Larijani, Senior Advisor To Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei: If America Or Israel Make The Mistake Of Bombing Iran, It Will Force Us To Go In The Direction Of Building Nuclear Weapons
Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a member of the Expediency Council, stated in an interview with IRINN TV (Iran) aired on March 31, 2025, that an American attack on Iran is unlikely, as the U.S. does not stand to gain from such an action and has learned from its experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. Larijani emphasized that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons; however, he warned that if the U.S. makes a 'mistake on the Iranian nuclear issue,' it will force Iran to pursue nuclear weapons as a means of self-defense. "Iran will have no choice," he said, adding that the U.S. is pushing Iran in this direction. Larijani also noted that if America or Israel bomb Iran, it would leave Iran with no option but to reconsider its stance on nuclear weapons. Ali Larijani: "The reasons that the Leader said that he considered [a U.S. attack] to be unlikely is spot on. Obviously, since our military commanders are very experienced – they have all gone through the [Iran-Iraq] war, and have regional experience – they prepare for unlikely scenarios as well. It is not the case that because a scenario is unlikely, we are not prepared for it. We are fully prepared. But why do we consider this scenario to be unlikely? Because, first of all, what do the Americans stand to gain from this? The Americans spent almost $2 trillion in Afghanistan, in order to get rid of the Taliban. Are the Taliban gone? They are the rulers now. They spent $7-8 trillion [in Iraq] – and they themselves admit that it was a mistake – but had to leave in that shameful way. What do they stand to gain? Iran is much stronger than these two [countries]. Unless the Israelis push them or Mr. Trump makes a mistake, and decides to gamble with his soldiers' heads... A military confrontation with Iran will not come without consequences. [...] "I think America is making a strategic mistake. With regard to the nuclear issue – we have said that there is a fatwa [by Khamenei], and we are operating under the IAEA inspection, and are not pursing [nuclear] weapons. But if you make a mistake on the Iranian nuclear issue, you will force Iran to go in that direction, because Iran will have to defend itself. "You are doing this with your own hands. Iran does not want to do it, but if you exert pressure, it would cause a secondary justification. Iran will have no choice. The public will exert pressure to do it for the sake of the country's security. This will not be in the [Americans'] favor. Even now we are saying that we are not pursing nuclear weapons, and that the IAEA inspection can continue, even forever. We have no problem. We don't want to exaggerate. However, if at any point, you turn to bombing [Iran] – either you or Israel – you will force Iran to make a different decision."
