Latest news with #SeyedHosseinMousavian
Memri
3 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Then-Deputy Of Iran's National Security Council Seyed Hossein Mousavian In 2004 Interview: 'After Iraq's Attacks, We Announced Our Defensive Chemical And Nuclear Programs'
In an October 17, 2004 interview conducted in Tehran with the Swiss paper SonntagsBlick, then Deputy of Iran's National Security Council Seyed Hossein Mousavian told German journalist and Iran expert Bruno Schirra that "after Iraq's attacks, we announced our defensive chemical and nuclear programs." He stressed that Iran's regime will never abandon its right to enrichment of uranium and will defy UN sanctions. "Even if we are dragged before the UN Security Council, that will not change our stance," stressed Mousavian. When asked about former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's call for the construction of "biological and radiological weapons" that, Rafsanjani said, can be used "for defensive, but also offensive use," Mousavian responded that Rafsanjani "only spoke about the defensive." Seyed Hossein Mousavian Separately, Fereydoon Abbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said in a May 26, 2025 interview on that "In one of my interviews, I said that we had reached the capability to build a [nuclear] weapon 15-20 years ago, but we had not built it for several reasons."[1] Mousavian was a key architect of the Iranian regime's nuclear program. He served as a spokesman for the atomic negotiations with the European powers that happened from 2003 to 2005. According to an archived 1997 article from the Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, Abolghasem Mesbahi, a former Iranian intelligence official, told a Berlin court during the Mykonos trial: "Mousavian participated in most of the [Iranian regime's] crimes that took place in Europe."[2] Iranian dissidents have accused Mousavian of playing a crucial role in the assassinations of at least 24 dissidents in Europe, including Iranian Kurds murdered in a joint Iran-Hizbullah operation in the West Berlin restaurant Mykonos in 1992. Mousavian was the Islamic Republic's ambassador to Germany from 1990 to 1997. He served from 1987-1990 as Iran's General Director of the Foreign Ministry for West Europe and has expressed support for Hamas, Hizbullah, and the Islamic regime's fatwa to assassinate the British-American author Salman Rushdie.[3] Mousavian was a researcher at Princeton University until June 2025.[4] According to the Alliance Against Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists (AAIRIA), Princeton University forced Mousavian into retirement. [5] Following is a translation of the SonntagsBlick interview: "After Iraq's Attacks, We Announced Our Defensive Chemical And Nuclear Programs" Bruno Schirra: "Iran is working on mastering the entire nuclear fuel cycle. To build a bomb, all you would need is a political decision." Mousavian: "True. But that applies to all Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) partners. Japan, too, could withdraw from the NPT at any time and build the bomb. Trying to deprive Iran of these contractual rights demonstrates an unacceptable double standard. Especially since we have unconditionally accepted the additional protocol to the NPT." Schirra: "In doing so you are admitting to the possession of chemical weapons. Regarding the nuclear weapons program, Ayatollah Beheshti already stated in 1981 that its goal was the atomic bomb. And your former President Rafsanjani also called for the construction of 'biological and radiological weapons.' Explicitly, 'for defensive, but also offensive use.'" Mousavian: "We have never heard such a statement from Ayatollah Beheshti..." Schirra: "I would be happy to give you the source. And the date of the Friday prayer, at which Ayatollah Beheshti also said it publicly..." Mousavian: "... and Hashemi [Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani] only spoke about the defensive. After Iraq's attacks, we announced our defensive chemical and nuclear programs. We will continue to do so in the future." Schirra: "Chemical and nuclear programs?" Mousavian: "Yes, yes. But only defensive, never offensive." "We Must Be Able To Defend The People Against Nuclear Attacks" Schirra: "So Iran is pursuing a chemical and a nuclear program?" Mousavian: "That's our public policy." Schirra: "Excuse me, but we are talking about weapons!" Mousavian: "We never said we needed to possess chemical and nuclear weapons. Only programs for defense. We must be able to defend the people against nuclear attacks." Schirra: "In Iranian facilities, 37 tons of so-called yellowcake are being converted into uranium hexafluoride. Too little for civilian purposes, but enough for five nuclear bombs." Mousavian: "The 37 tons are for a pilot project in Isfahan, which was under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision from the beginning. We are still in the pilot phase, that is, before production. Incidentally, the conversion of yellowcake is also permitted under the regulations of the NPT." Schirra: "In Isfahan and Natanz, you are working on enrichment. The facility in Arak is intended to produce heavy water. All indications that Iran also has a military nuclear program. Are you working on the bomb?" "We Will Respond In A Way That Will Make Jerusalem Regret It Forever – What Does That Mean? You Will See Then" Mousavian: "Iran has the right to use the technology for peaceful purposes. The danger of a civilian nuclear infrastructure being used for military purposes through a political decision applies, as already mentioned, to every member of the NPT!" Schirra: "The IAEA is demanding an end to uranium enrichment in Iran. Will you accept it?" Mousavian: "We do not accept this ultimatum. It was a political decision by the IAEA. Even if we are dragged before the UN Security Council, that will not change our stance. Dissuading us from this can only be achieved through political discussions, not through ultimatums." Schirra: "Why don't you then ensure international détente and simply comply with the IAEA's ultimatum? You know that Israel is watching your plans with great nervousness." Mousavian: "We will not bow to any ultimatum or resolution. And we are certain that Israel would not dare to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. It does not even have a one percent chance of doing so." Schirra: "And if Israel attacks anyway?" Mousavian: "Then we will respond in a way that will make Jerusalem regret it forever. What does that mean? You will see then." Page one of two of the original German of Mousavian's 2004 interview in SonntagsBlick. Page two of two of the original German of Mousavian's 2004 interview in SonntagsBlick. *Yigal Carmon is Founder and President of MEMRI.
India.com
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Why Iran is upset over Russia-India Su-57 fighter jet deal? Tehran says Moscow didn't provide S-400 air defense system despite...
(File) Iran-Israel war: Amid the looming threat of another attack by Israel and its ally the United States, Iran has openly expressed its displeasure over the proposed Russia-India defense deal, stating that Moscow has offered to sell the advanced Sukhoi Su-57E and Su-35M fighter jets to New Delhi, which it claimed is a US ally, but has not provided the S-400 air defense system to the Islamic Republic despite it being under an open threat from two nuclear powers– Israel and the US. Why Iran is upset over Russia-India deal? In a post on X, Seyed Hossein Mousavian, former Iranian ambassador to Germany who was also part of Iran's nuclear negotiations with the EU and the IAEA, criticized Russia for arming US allies while delaying much-needed armaments to its strategic partners like Iran, despite repeated requests. 'Russia did not give the Su-35 fighter aircraft and S-400 air defense system to Iran. Despite the fact that Iran has been under the threat of a military attack by two nuclear powers – America and Israel for decades and this recently proved true when both these countries attacked Tehran,' Mousavian wrote. The veteran Iranian diplomat and policymaker noted that while Russia did not provide the necessary armaments to partners like Iran, it has offered 117 Su-35M fighter jets and joint production of Su-57 with technology transfer to India, even though New Delhi is a US 'ally'. 'This is not a criticism of Moscow because it is acting according to its strategic interests, but what if a NATO member like Turkey or a close US ally like Saudi Arabia wants to buy the Su-35, Su-57, or S-400 air defense from Russia?,' he asked. Mousavian noted that Tehran needs to gain a better understanding of the reality of the current geo-political scenario, and shun dependence on other countries to protect its national interests. What is the Russia-India defence deal? As per a report by Aero News General, Russia and India are working out a deal for the latter to acquire the Russian-made fifth-generation stealth fighter Su-57E and the 4.5-generation Su-35M, including local manufacturing and technology transfer. The proposal submitted by Russian state-owned company Rostec and Sukhoi includes a transfer of technology for the Su-57E, which would allow Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture these aircraft in India. Under the proposed deal, Russia will immediately deliver a fleet of 20-30 Su-57E fighters to meet the IAF's urgent need to replenish its depleted squadrons. Additionally, Russia has also offered the Su-35M as part of India's multi-role fighter aircraft tender for 114 jet, a necessary workaround till Su-57E production is ramped up.
ABC News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Can Iran's nuclear know-how be destroyed?
In the early 2000s Seyed Hossein Mousavian was a member of Iran's nuclear negotiating team and was the country's ambassador to Germany. He speaks to David Speers.
Bloomberg
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Mousavian: Full Damage To Iran Nuclear Sites Unknown
President Trump says the US will meet with Iran next week, while casting doubt on the need for a diplomatic agreement on Tehran's nuclear program. President Trump continues to insist that US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities had obliterated them. Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Former Iranian Ambassador to Germany spoke to Bloomberg's Horizons Middle East and Africa anchor Joumanna Bercetche on the extent of damage to these sites. (Source: Bloomberg)
CNN
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
If US pursues regime change, Iran would pursue the bomb, warns fmr. Iranian negotiator
As Iran responds to America's bombing of its nuclear facilities, Christiane Amanpour speaks with former Iranian diplomat and nuclear negotiator Seyed Hossein Mousavian about what might come next.
