News / International
Iran will 'never use' force against Muslim neighbors
04 Dec 2010 at 23:59hrs | Views
Iran sought yesterday to calm the fears of its neighbors, saying
it would never use force against them because they are Muslims, after
Washington highlighted concerns over Tehran's suspected nuclear weapons
program. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki made the point at a
conference on Middle East security two days before Iran is to sit down
with world powers in Geneva for the first time since October 2009 to
discuss their differences.
We have never used our force against our neighbors and never will because our neighbors are Muslims," Mottaki told journalists on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue, sponsored by the International Institute for Security Studies. "Your power in the region is our power and our power is your power." US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had said Washington's concerns were shared by Iran's neighbors in the Gulf, through which most of the world's oil flows.
She said "perhaps the Iranians will engage seriously... on what is a concern shared by nations on every continent, but most particularly right here in the region." "Because obviously if you're the neighbor of a country that is pursuing nuclear weapons, that is viewed in a much more threatening way than if you're a concerned country many thousands of miles away. But the concern is the same and we hope that Iran will respond.
The UN Security Council has called on Iran in six resolutions-four of which impose sanctions-to halt uranium enrichment, as some in the international community suspect Tehran seeks a nuclear weapons capability. Tehran insists that its nuclear program has purely peaceful aims. After months of stalling, Iran will resume talks on Monday and Tuesday with the P5+1 grouping of UN Security Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany.
Mottaki cautioned against submitting to "pressure by outsiders to divide us and create instability," saying "the presence of foreign powers will not help establish security in the region" and urging Gulf cooperation. He said it was vital to "have stability and security, because we (Iran and its neighbors) provide the world with most of its energy," and that Tehran "is determined to guarantee international security in the field of energy.
Mottaki denied US assertions from earlier this week that the sanctions were hurting Iran, saying they "had no effect on the economy." Looking to next week's talks, Clinton had told Iran's delegation in Manama: "Nearly two years ago, President (Barack) Obama extended your government a sincere offer of dialogue. We are still committed to this offer," she said. "We continue to make this offer of engagement with respect for your sovereignty and with regard for your interests, but also with an ironclad commitm
ent to defending global security and the world's interests in a peaceful and prosperous Gulf region.
Mottaki described as a "step forward" Clinton's remarks that Iran is entitled to a peaceful nuclear energy program. "But these words should be turned into action," he said. He was responding to a question about comments to the BBC, in which Clinton said Iran could enrich uranium for civilian purposes in the future, but only after demonstrating it can do so responsibly and in accordance with its international obligations. "You (Iran) have the right to a peaceful nuclear program. But with that right comes a
reasonable responsibility: that you follow the treaty you signed, and fully address the world's concerns about your nuclear activities," she said.
We urge you to make that choice for your people, your interests, and our shared security. We urge you to restore the confidence of the international community and live up to your obligations." Mottaki said in Manama that "with a serious will on the part of both parties, this meeting could bring about hoped-for results." In Tehran, meanwhile, Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili warned that "Iranian rights are not negotiable; they are not the subject of the talks." He also warned the West to "refrain fr
om the wrong strategy and avoid the dual track," in a reference to imposing sanctions and calling for talks to bring Tehran to the negotiating table to discuss its nuclear program.
We have never used our force against our neighbors and never will because our neighbors are Muslims," Mottaki told journalists on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue, sponsored by the International Institute for Security Studies. "Your power in the region is our power and our power is your power." US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had said Washington's concerns were shared by Iran's neighbors in the Gulf, through which most of the world's oil flows.
She said "perhaps the Iranians will engage seriously... on what is a concern shared by nations on every continent, but most particularly right here in the region." "Because obviously if you're the neighbor of a country that is pursuing nuclear weapons, that is viewed in a much more threatening way than if you're a concerned country many thousands of miles away. But the concern is the same and we hope that Iran will respond.
The UN Security Council has called on Iran in six resolutions-four of which impose sanctions-to halt uranium enrichment, as some in the international community suspect Tehran seeks a nuclear weapons capability. Tehran insists that its nuclear program has purely peaceful aims. After months of stalling, Iran will resume talks on Monday and Tuesday with the P5+1 grouping of UN Security Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany.
Mottaki cautioned against submitting to "pressure by outsiders to divide us and create instability," saying "the presence of foreign powers will not help establish security in the region" and urging Gulf cooperation. He said it was vital to "have stability and security, because we (Iran and its neighbors) provide the world with most of its energy," and that Tehran "is determined to guarantee international security in the field of energy.
Mottaki denied US assertions from earlier this week that the sanctions were hurting Iran, saying they "had no effect on the economy." Looking to next week's talks, Clinton had told Iran's delegation in Manama: "Nearly two years ago, President (Barack) Obama extended your government a sincere offer of dialogue. We are still committed to this offer," she said. "We continue to make this offer of engagement with respect for your sovereignty and with regard for your interests, but also with an ironclad commitm
ent to defending global security and the world's interests in a peaceful and prosperous Gulf region.
Mottaki described as a "step forward" Clinton's remarks that Iran is entitled to a peaceful nuclear energy program. "But these words should be turned into action," he said. He was responding to a question about comments to the BBC, in which Clinton said Iran could enrich uranium for civilian purposes in the future, but only after demonstrating it can do so responsibly and in accordance with its international obligations. "You (Iran) have the right to a peaceful nuclear program. But with that right comes a
reasonable responsibility: that you follow the treaty you signed, and fully address the world's concerns about your nuclear activities," she said.
We urge you to make that choice for your people, your interests, and our shared security. We urge you to restore the confidence of the international community and live up to your obligations." Mottaki said in Manama that "with a serious will on the part of both parties, this meeting could bring about hoped-for results." In Tehran, meanwhile, Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili warned that "Iranian rights are not negotiable; they are not the subject of the talks." He also warned the West to "refrain fr
om the wrong strategy and avoid the dual track," in a reference to imposing sanctions and calling for talks to bring Tehran to the negotiating table to discuss its nuclear program.
Source - AFP
