Dr. M. Javad Larijani

Some 26 years after severance of ties between Iran and the United States, and at a time when tension between Tehran and Washington is at a historical peak, Dr. Mohammad Javad Larijani believes that "we must follow a strategy of containment and reduction of tension as well as normalization of ties in long term." The issue of Iran-US ties has been brought up several times over the past eight years. It is perhaps, due to this reason that Larijani, who resigned his post at Foreign Ministry in 1989 to follow Iran’s foreign policy through Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), has talked about Iran-US ties and how to overcome tensions in an interview with Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). He believes that there are two expert views about relationship with the United States. "The first view is that suitable conditions are not ready and negotiating with the United States will only increase its animosity toward Iran. They say when negotiations will do nothing to reduce hostilities, talking will be of no use, even if the US embassy is reopened in Tehran." Larijani, who was once known as theoretician of the rightists, is more inclined toward the second view: "They say we must settle this issue in the long term."

Mohammad Javad Larijani, who was a member of the fifth Majlis’ National Security and Foreign Policy Commission continues by saying, "There is no doubt that the Americans are our enemies and the only thing which sometimes bars them in their hostile actions is the possibility of a failure" He noted that whenever the Americans think they will succeed, they will act, saying that working with the enemy is part of a political career. The chairman of Theoretical Physics Research Center stated that in the field politics, "we must work 80% with enemies and 20% with friends".

If a country does not have relations with the United States, it is isolated, and if it has relations with the United States, then it is not isolated even if it has no relations with any other country.

Explaining his doctrine about how to challenge the enemy, Larijani stated that when working with the enemy, one should work at points when interests converge despite the fact that they may have differences in 100 other points. Then he concludes that achieving containment and reduction of tension as well as temporary cooperation on vital issues is possible. However, when it comes to relationship with the United States, Larijani says, "Here, the main issue is profit and loss. The issue is not a taboo about facing Americans or a religious edict or even constitutional stipulation on the relationship."

Larijani also criticizes those who intend to turn hostilities with the United States into cordial relations, saying, "Unfortunately, when it comes to having relations with the United States, some think that we must suddenly change our default position with regard to interactions with the United States to another presumption that is total friendship." He maintains that in politics, friendships are based on national interests and both friendships and hostilities enjoy pragmatist implications. "This means, if we predict that a country’s animosity toward us will escalate over the next 20 years, it would be very natural for us not to become dependent on that state and reduce our investments there. Now, if we expect our ties with a country like China to become cordial, we should expand those ties."

At a time when hostilities between Iran and the United States are at a historical peak, especially over Iran’s nuclear dossier, and Washington extended Iran’s sanctions for one more year just a few days ago, Mohammad Javad Larijani talks about strategy of containment, détente and normalization of ties, which in his opinion, will be in Iran’s benefit in the long term.

Of course, he emphasizes that "We must do enrichment ourselves, because enrichment has technological and commercial nature." Asked about the possibility of sending Iran’s nuclear dossier to United Nations Security Council, he says, "The United States and some of the European countries are willing to take our case to the Security Council, which is per se part of their challenge with the Islamic Republic of Iran. We must pursue our rights through calculated, reasonable, and just steps. If the United States and European countries persist on sending Iran to the Security Council, no party will be able to realize its goals." He maintains that if Iran is really sent to the Security Council, "our attitude toward International Atomic Energy Agency should certainly change. If the West intends to treat us in excess of international regulations, they are not likely to succeed."

When asked about possible vetoing of Iran’s case at the United Nations Security Council, Mohammad Javad Larijani believes that with or without veto, we must be ready to defend our national interests and take necessary precautionary measures.

"Our negotiations with the British government should be based on self-esteem and dignity because both UK and the United States are stuck in Iraq and whenever their trouble escalates, they try to attribute problems to another country. Blaming Iran for interfering in Iraq’s internal affairs is just an excuse to cover their failure in Iraq," he said.

Former deputy foreign minister stated that Iran’s interests are tied to security in Iraq and the British government should avoid of bringing up childish claims during negotiations like allegations surfaced against Iran by that country’s prime minister and foreign minister from time to time. "Therefore, while we must embark on negotiations in line with our own dignity, we must also set our eyes upon farther horizons and think about more important issues in the region."

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is a powerful country where people can voice their criticism and protests. However, security of foreign embassies and diplomatic corps has been guaranteed by the Islamic Republic of Iran and this has been proven. Various Iranian embassies in Germany, England and France were repeatedly attacked by terrorist groups over the past 26 years and I guess those attacks were carried out through green light of the respective governments, but apart from United States’ embassy, this has never occurred in our country."

He, however, believes that what happened to US embassy was a result of situation of the United States in Iran, revolutionary sentiments as well as US role in Iran. "We are very austere about other embassies and our record in this regard is much better than western countries."

Larijani maintains that under such delicate circumstances, we must be very tactful and try to weather safely through dire straits so as to give the least possible excuses to the enemy. He, however, warns that we should not expect them to change their attitude toward Iran all of a sudden. "The issue is that we have our voice in the world."

Larijani says that when making remarks or taking any measure, we must consider the fact but our enemies are not idle and are looking for an excuse. "Therefore, our experts should be let to prepare speeches to be made by officials and … I am sure that this will happen," he added.

Larijani believes that western countries have exploited Ahmadinejad’s remarks to their own benefit because Iran’s policy toward Israel has been clearly defined. "The period of exploitation will be short. However, our diplomatic apparatus can be more careful and bar more opportunism by enemies."