In his Friday sermon at the Tehran University campus, Tehran interim prayer leader Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani stated that Iran would not accept an ultimatum from the West in its talks about Iran's nuclear program. He said, “We have finally agreed to sit down and negotiate, then what is this about issuing a deadline and ultimatum?...Every time the situation (of the nuclear dispute) is about to get better, these Western hardliners and radicals begin diverting attention by various propaganda ploys. This approach shows that some powers cannot see peace in the region.”
Rafsanjani, who is also a former Iranian president and chairman of Iran's Expediency Council, was referring to the six-party (U.K., U.S., China, France, Russia, and Germany) talks held last week in Geneva on Iran's nuclear program, during which Western delegates gave Iran two weeks to either accept or suspend uranium enrichment in return for Western incentives or sanctions.
Rafsanjani told worshippers, "We have agreed to talk (with the world powers) on the issue for finding a settlement (in the nuclear dispute) and are indeed hopeful to do so… But again, they (world powers) have come up with ultimatums, timetables, and even threats, which are unacceptable to Iran."
He called the situation a demonstration of Iran’s innocence and of bullying by the West, saying, “Acquiring peaceful nuclear technology is first of all an absolute and undeniable right that has been accorded to Iran and all countries based on the international treaties endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency.” He added that the capability that Iranians have gained in the nuclear domain is the result of 30 years of their endeavors without seeking foreign assistance, and warned that the world bullying powers were now trying to deprive the Iranian nation of the absolute right through making mischief and through issuing threats and intimidation.
He added, "U.S. and Israeli officials must learn that an ultimatum will not help the nuclear standoff (between Iran and the West.”
Rafsanjani also criticized the U.S.'s role in the Persian Gulf, stating, "Unfortunately, tough and extremist claims by officials of the U.S. and of the usurper regime of Israel pose problems in the way, and the Americans launch maneuvers for controlling the Strait of Hormuz." He continued, "It is clear that a trend is now underway of trying to obstruct efforts for the restoration of calm and security in the region."
Sources: Fars, Mehr, IRIBnews, IRNA, Press TV, Iran, July 25, 2008
