On the mass protests which erupted in Iran a year ago:
“What occurred during the days that you spoke of earlier, that was the presence of a few, not the presence of the people. The people of Iran did not support in any way those that rioted in the streets of Iran. And the people’s support—the people’s lack of support defeated their plans. There were some who were fooled. There were others who committed murder, conducted serious crimes. But what occurred last year was a war conducted in the media by the enemy. I don’t want to name TV networks or news networks, but networks who are headquartered in the three European countries and in the United States of America who broadcast news 24 hours a day. They openly teach tactics of terror. So, they conduct instructional steps on how to build a cocktail Molotov. This is one of the facets of animosity of the United States of America towards the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as that of certain European countries towards Iran. It’s not hijab that matters for them. It’s not the head coverings that matter for them. It’s not women’s rights. It’s not nuclear issues. It’s not human rights. Because there are countries such as the Zionist regime — is the Zionist regime armed to the teeth with nuclear warheads or no? Why doesn’t a single voice come out of the United States in protest to that? Why doesn’t a voice come out of any of the European countries in protest to that?”
On the hijab issue:
“Today in the Islamic Republic, hijab is a law. And when an issue becomes part of the law, then everyone must adhere to the law. So, it’s the same the world over. And now that, with regard to adherence to the laws, in reality, the Americans and certain European countries are only seeking to cause a bipolar situation in our society. So, they conduct their work in this fashion, always. They thought Iran is one of those societies in which they can create two different, opposing poles, in which women’s and the gender issues become against— set against hijab. But rest assured that, through the use of these tools, they will not succeed. The people of Iran are enlightened, are people of faith, are spiritual people, and they deeply understand that the United States of America and three European countries don’t care about their rights, their hijab, but a life of respect for women has existed for hundreds and hundreds of years in Iran. It’s not a development that we have observed in the past few decades.”
On International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections:
“If our intention was for the IAEA not to be able to conduct inspections, we would’ve said so clearly. However, from the very beginning, our aim was to collaborate and cooperate with the IAEA, and they are fully aware of this within the IAEA that we have cooperated fully. And this cooperation takes place in two ways, in various ways. One, via installation of cameras that record in real time the activities that take place. Secondly, are the inspectors who come there and oversee the nuclear activities in Iran. And in the time that has elapsed thus far since the agreement, 15 different times, the IAEA has said and certified that there are no digressions into any type of Iran’s nuclear activity, and that it remains purely for civilian and peaceful purposes. And we have announced time and time again that the use of nuclear weapons, the use of weapons of mass destruction in general, do not have a place. Why? Because we don’t believe in it, nor do we have a need for it. However, what we believe in given in particular, the fatwa issued by his eminence, the Supreme Leader, because these are weapons of mass destructions, and they can lead to the death of many innocent lives throughout the world. Then it is Haram, not religiously allowed to develop or use these weapons. We have— the Islamic Republic of Iran hasn’t said, we do not wish any inspectors to be here. We have said what these three countries, what has been said by the IAEA is that we have certain considerations vis-a-vis individuals from these three countries. Their trust is under a shadow of doubt.”
On defending Iran’s uranium enrichment:
“This action of the Islamic Republic of Iran against the breaking of commitments and the three European countries vis-a-vis the reached accord— in the beginning, we were not seeking 60 percent levels of enrichment. They trampled upon their commitments. According to multiple IAEA certifications, what the Islamic Republic of Iran did was in response to a breaking of commitment of the signatories to the agreement. And it was officially announced that the action that we intend to take is not intended to reach nuclear weapons of any type or a military dimension of any type, but it is — it is a response for the lack of commitment demonstrated by the Europeans. And should they at anytime return to a fulfillment of their commitments, rest assured and have no doubt that the Islamic Republic as it has done in the past will fully adhere to her commitments.”
On Israeli normalization deals:
“This was a job done by the Americans to take the hands of the Israelis and put that squarely in the hands of certain Arab countries. This doesn’t equal the acceptance of those nations, of those people. People in those countries, in those Persian Gulf Arab countries have a great deal of hate for the Israeli actions. And this was only obtained under American pressure. And the mind frame — the frame of thought of the Americans was that they are somehow creating security for the Zionist regime, whereas normalization of certain countries with Israel does not buy security or bring about security for the Zionist regime, because both the Zionist regime is facing internal strife and difficulties. And it is hated outside whether by countries that are of Muslim faith or otherwise. Across the world, today, know that the Zionist regime is the most hated for crimes against humanity, against human beings and the trampling upon of many agreements that it should have adhered to thus far. And it is hated for that. So, this was the action undertaken by the Americans. On one side, the Americans did this. On the other side, they started to promote a phobia about Iran, an unfounded fear in the hearts of the neighboring countries about Iran, so that when they wish to establish contact with Iran or have a — an approach or rapprochement or conduct economic activities with Iran, they see that these are fears created by the Americans. So, this normalization will see no success, just like in previous cases. And this is not a solution for the Zionist regime, after seven and a half decades. They must go back to the principle founded in giving the rights to the Palestinian people that they are owed, what is rightfully theirs. The path must start from that point of origin. Instead of addressing the core issue, they are trying to bring about a forced normalization, which cannot help the Zionist regime in any way, shape, or form other than to put everyone in a position where even the people of these nations that you touched upon earlier, they see that — that establishment of normalization of relationship as a betrayal of their principles and values. So, after 75 years, these different avenues pursued by the United States of America have never responded, have never yielded the desired fruit.”
On whether Iran has paid a price for the positions he has taken:
“With the Islamic Revolution, we gave a loud and clear announcement that we will not go under the hegemony of the West or that of America. We wish to be an independent country. We wish to have relations with all countries. But they sought only hegemony. What conditions are in the region? Let’s look at it. In the situation brought about by the Americans in Syria, was Syria successful or America? Certainly, Syria. In Afghanistan, were the people of Afghanistan successful or the United States of America? Certainly, the people of Afghanistan. In Iraq, were the Iraqis successful or the United States of America? Certainly, the Iraqis. Now, where in the region has America been successful? You cannot see an example of her success anywhere in the region. The difference and the comparison between Iran, Western countries and the Americans, Iran has been the one who has succeeded. Now, America also, it’s important to keep in mind, that wanted for Iran to become isolated, that did not occur. Are the — is the entire world comprised of three European countries and the United States of America? The world has almost 200 different independent countries. We have relations with a great many of them, most of them. Is today’s world scenario showing you that American power is precipitating, or that of Iran? We believe that it’s certainly that of the United States of America, and Iran’s position is being strengthened by the day.”
