Word: larijani
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...Larijani: Statesmen in Europe and the West know that such actions will not bring good consequences for themselves. Many things may happen. Certainly it's not going to be only defensive actions...
Part 2 of TIME's exclusive interview Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council, Iran's highest foreign policy body, says that despite the break in U.S.-Iran ties after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Tehran would now consider direct negotiations with the Bush administration on Iran's nuclear program and other issues. Iran's hard-line stance on Israel and Iraq as well as Iran's nuclear rights, however, raise doubts about whether the long-standing enemies could have a meeting of minds...
...Larijani: Certainly we are not going to take the first steps. This does not mean that for that purpose [preventing Security Council action] we shall abandon all our rights. But if there is a proposal that the rights of Iran can be secured to some extent for the present time, and the other rights can be secured through negotiations, we are open to that. In a letter that I sent to the Europeans, I told the ministers that we are prepared to talk to you to come up with a formula that prevents diversion from peaceful nuclear technology [to nuclear...
...Larijani: We are not really seeking adventures in the region. We will make our decisions with patience, not in haste. We have not taken this lightly. We have devised different plans for different situations. We have prepared for the worst-case scenario. They should not think for a moment that if they impose sanctions, then we'll fall down to our knees. With sanctions, their loss is no less than ours...
...Larijani: The same things that Americans are saying: for example, telling Israel to launch a military attack on some of our positions. There's a general rule that he who shoots first, dies in the second phase. If they take action, the response will not be a very pleasant one for them. We shall definitely defend. Don't doubt that for a second. We shall not stand idly by and watch Israelis attack our installations...