Iran seeks win-win solution in nuclear issue
TEHRANTIMES - Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has said that Iran is seeking to create a win-win situation in the nuclear issue and expects the Westerners to negotiate in good faith if they have the same stance.
Salehi made the remarks during an exclusive interview with IRNA, which was published on the news agency’s website on Friday.
No conflict is eternal and one day the dispute will be resolved, he stated.
“We seek a win-win solution, so if the Westerners believe in such a solution, they should come to the negotiating table on an equal footing,” Salehi said.
“And if they do not believe in this solution, they can continue pursuing the approach they have adopted, since the pressure has made us more experienced,” he added.
Despite the fact that sanctions and restrictions have created some problems for Iran, they have also made the nation more determined to achieve self-reliance in all areas of technology and industry, Salehi noted.
Now the result of the sanctions has been that Iran is one of the regional countries that have purchased the least amount of military equipment from foreign countries, which shows the self-sufficiency of the country, he added.
Despite all the problems, Iran has successfully developed in all areas of science, such as nanotechnology, stem cell research, and nuclear energy, he said.
The countries that have adopted a carrot-and-stick policy toward Iran can continue to follow this policy and see where it gets them, he noted.
Asked about relations between Iran and Britain, Salehi said the relations are not in a favorable state because of the unreasonable stances Britain has adopted in the international arena.
He also expressed hope that the British government would change its attitude toward Iran.
IRNA also asked him about the case of Iran’s former ambassador to Jordan, Nosratollah Tajik, who is currently under house arrest in Britain based on false allegations made by the United States, which has accused him of arms smuggling.
Salehi replied that it would be a positive sign that the British government is attempting to substantially revise its relations with Iran if it resolved the Tajik case.
On relations with Saudi Arabia, he said Tehran and Riyadh have always had friendly ties but some disagreements arose following political developments in the region.
(But) “I believe the misunderstandings between the two countries can be resolved,” he added.
On developments in Bahrain, he said Iran respects Bahrain’s independence and national sovereignty and wants to see peace and stability restored in the country.
The Bahrain crisis should be resolved through negotiations among Bahrainis, he stated.
“We have diplomatic relations with the country, and we regard the Bahraini king’s decision to hold talks with his people as a positive move,” he said, adding, “We hope that the move will yield good results.”