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February 7, 2013 Special Dispatch No. 5175

Iranian President Ahmadinejad In Interview With Editor Of Egyptian Daily 'Al-Ahram': Iran Has Become A Nuclear State

February 7, 2013
Iran | Special Dispatch No. 5175

Ahead of his historic visit to Cairo (February 5-6, 2013) to attend an Organization of the Islamic Conference summit, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave an interview to 'Abd Al-Nasser Salama, editor of the Egyptian daily Al-Ahram. In the interview, which was conducted in Tehran, Ahmadinejad reiterated the positions of the Iranian regime on various issues, and stressed that Iran had become a nuclear state despite Western pressures aimed at stopping it from doing so. He also spoke about Iran-Egypt relations, saying that they were gradually developing. He stressed that cooperation between the two countries could be expanded in many areas, and that rapprochement between them would lead to a solution to the Palestinian problem and to other complex problems in the region. He emphasized that Iran had no intention of attacking "the Zionist entity," and clarified that his country had high defense capabilities.

On the subject of Syria, Ahmadinejad said that he was very sorry about what was happening there, and expressed his opposition to foreign intervention. He said that the best solution for Syria would not be the establishment of a sectarian government, but rather a solution based on mutual understanding among the Syrian people. He called on all countries in the region to unite into an economic and political power in the international arena, and noted that within a few years, the balance of power in the world would shift and the U.S. would lose its hegemonic status and concentrate on its domestic affairs.

The following are translated excerpts of the interview:[1]


Ahmadinejad with
Al-Ahram editor 'Abd Al-Nasser Salama

Iran-Egypt Relations Are Gradually Developing

Q: "Thirty-five years have passed since the Iranian revolution, and to date there has been ebb and flow in the relations between the two countries [Iran and Egypt]; this has been ongoing since the revolution. Do you expect any change [in this] in the near future?"

A: "There has been no change in the past two years, but the dialogue between us has developed. I met with [Egyptian] President Mursi during his [August 2012] visit to Iran, and he has also met with the Iranian foreign minister. We conducted contacts with Egypt on Syria affairs, and there is constant dialogue... We are gradually moving towards the desired goal..."

Q: "In what areas can the Egypt-Iran cooperation develop the future relations [between the two countries], particularly in a situation in which Egypt requires aid and many efforts?"

A: "...Nothing will [negatively] impact the historic relations of these two peoples. If they grow closer and cooperate, they will [jointly] become an important force… and many of the complex and varied problems, such as the Palestinian problem, will be settled. If Egypt joins with Iran, they will be able to unite all the countries of the region... We are willing to place all our experience at the disposal of our Egyptian brothers, and are willing to learn from the experience of the Egyptian people... There is no limit to [our] cooperation with Egypt. We see Egypt's progress and security as our own honor and our own glory. I am certain that the Egyptian people feel the same towards the Iranian people..."

Q: "Mr. President, in the past there were some problems, such as the naming of a street [in Tehran] after [the assassin of President Anwar Sadat,] Khaled Al-Islambouli, which many consider an obstacle to the progress of [Egypt-Iran] relations. Is there a chance that this obstacle will be removed, and that the street [name] will be changed? "

A: "The matter of the street [name] and the like will be taken care of automatically. We must think about the future of our peoples. There must be mutual understanding based on common ground, and not on points of dispute."

Q: "It is reported that there is security cooperation, under which Egypt learned to establish revolutionary militias according to the Iranian model.[2] How true is this?"

A: "The Egyptian people is greater than all this, and it is best that it take care of its own problems and not ask others to do so..."

The Union Of All The Countries In The Region Will Create A Global Power

Q: "...How does Iran intend to improve its relations with the Arab countries, particularly [since] these relations were for some time based on fear, and since for the past 30 years Iran has failed [in its efforts] to reassure its Arab neighbors?"

A: "Let me make several important points: first, what will happen in the world if the countries of the region join together? Will [anyone in the world] have greater economic capability than they? And will there be [any element in the world] with greater political power than these countries? What group will be able to confront these blocs? There is a group of countries next to the Red Sea, [one] next to the Black Sea, and... one [next to] the Caspian Sea. If these groups join together, can you imagine what will happen in the world? Will any element show hostility towards them?...

"The second point is connected with the tremendous energy [resources] and [other] resources of the countries in the region. Because of this, many enemies do not desire unity among these countries. We have always sought brotherhood and unity among us; Iran has never taken any measure against the region. We did not go to war against Saddam [Hussein] – it was he who forced it on us, and unfortunately some stood with him, under pressure by the enemies... The wars are the result of our enemies' interference in our affairs…Our region has wealth and resources, and it is a most important region in geopolitical terms."

On Syria: One Group Must Not Force Itself On Others; There Must Be Understanding Among The Forces In Syria

Q: "We cannot talk about the Arab matter without mentioning Syria. Today there was news about efforts to stop the bloodshed, and to begin an Iranian dialogue with the Syrian opposition. Is this true? And to what extent do you [i.e. Iran] support the Syrian regime? How do you expect this matter to turn out?"

A: "...It is absolutely impossible to establish a sectarian government [in Syria], and [one] group cannot force itself on the others...

"A group of Syrian oppositionists once came to Iran, and we tried [to advance] mutual understanding between them [and the Syrian regime] so that free elections could be held, because war means more destruction and killing and massacres. There has been enough killing on both sides. Both [sides] are Syrian, and mutual understanding that will allow them to establish their own government is in the interest of all. There is also a regional dimension... and we think that, if the struggles move to the region [i.e. outside of Syria] they will quickly spill over to other… countries. What will happen then? Who will benefit?...

"Some of the countries are mistaken in their analysis of the situation in the region. They think that their interest lies in sparking tension in the neighboring countries – which could spread the sectarian struggle to each and every place…

"We are very sorry about what is happening [in Syria]. It is our responsibility to support the Syrian people and to [help] bring about mutual national understanding..."

Q: "Do you expect Hizbullah to be greatly impacted by the situation in Syria? What will its situation be if the Syrian regime collapses?

A: "Certainly, the situation in Syria will impact the neighboring countries, as well as the Palestinian problem. Today, the connection between the countries is very extensive, and if one country develops, this impacts all the sides..."

On Israel: We Are Not Going To Attack It Militarily, Our Policy Is Defensive

Q: "Let's move from the Arab matter to a more controversial issue – the Israeli matter. You have attacked Israel harshly since assuming power. Do you really expect Israeli aggression in Iran, or are they throwing sand [in our eyes]? Do you expect the opposite – that is, a preemptive Iranian strike? What is the situation exactly?"

A: "I haven't used that term you use [i.e. 'Israel']. I haven't used it thus far. I have said 'the usurping Zionist entity.' Our disagreement is with the occupation, the injustice, and the acts of massacre. The Zionists fulfill a special role in the world, and you are aware of what they are doing today in the U.S. and Europe. They take over centers of wealth, capital, and political [power] on a global scale, and strive to control all sectors by destroying cultures and economies and through wars.

"The Zionists would very much like to strike Iran, but they haven't been given a chance, nor will they be given one in the future. Our objection [to the Zionist regime] is political and cultural. We do not intend to strike them militarily, since our regime is defensive. They are well aware of our defensive capabilities, [so] they cannot address their problems by means of warfare.

"The Palestinian problem is a humanitarian one by any standard. The Palestinian people is defending its national sovereignty and its usurped rights. The rights must be restored to those who are entitled to them, including the displaced persons who must be allowed to return to their country. This is the basic right of any human being. I believe the Zionists will slowly approach the precipice. Violent governments that force themselves [on others] will make place for other governments. Progress will occur."

Iran Has Become A Nuclear State Despite Efforts To Prevent This

Q: "Will we keep hearing about an impending Israeli strike on Iran?"

A: "It is not hard to launch a missile or a jet, but the crucial [point] is the response to such a strike. Iran's defensive capability is important...

"In any case, Iran has become a nuclear state. It is nuclear. They used all their means to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear, but it has become nuclear. They want to return Iran to its former situation, but they have failed [to do so]. They want to take it backwards. For years we have been saying to them, 'let's cooperate,' but... they mistakenly believe that they can subdue Iran by putting pressure on it. Now they must acknowledge all of Iran's attributes and characteristics.

"We are now an industrialized state, a nuclear state, a state with space [capabilities]. When we sent a living creature to space and returned it to Earth, they tried, by means of media falsifications, to raise questions [and doubts] regarding this action and this recent Iranian achievement... We have been considering launching a human into space for years, and with Allah's help we will achieve it. We must progress and develop, and they must acknowledge our progress. I believe the best solution is cooperation between us."

Q: "To what extent did the Western sanctions affect Iran? Your currency recently fell 15%."

A: "[The sanctions] were effective in the short term, but the Iranian economy is massive and will make up [the difference] quickly, and that is to our advantage... Our markets were affected to some degree, [but] we will deal with this gradually [but] swiftly by substituting domestic products for imported ones.

"Everything that is subject to boycott is [also] made domestically [in Iran], which is one of the current positive trends... in our economy. Our exports are gradually increasing, and new scientific discoveries continue to [be made] constantly, as well as industrial ones..."

The U.S. Will Lose Its Hegemonic Status In A Few Years

Q: "How do you view the future of the world in light of American hegemony, and the future of our region in light of Israeli military superiority?"

A: "Within four or five years, America's status will change completely, and it will lose the hegemonic position that we see today. U.S. trade will focus on the domestic American [market]... From its hegemonic [position], it inserts its hands in others' pockets, but those pockets are also limited. The owners of those pockets are currently awakening from a long coma, and will go searching for this foreigner [who is meddling in their affairs].

"Many domestic problems are now getting worse in America, and they export them to other countries using their dollars..."


Endnotes:

[1] Al-Ahram (Egypt), January 6, 2013.

[2] This question came against the backdrop of reports in Egypt that the Muslim Brotherhood regime had recently asked Iran for aid to strengthen its hold on the country. According to these reports, a secret meeting was held in Cairo between Mursi advisor 'Issam Al-Haddad and IRGC Qods Forces commander Qassem Soleimani, on developing the Egyptian intelligence apparatuses. Al-Ahram, Al-Masri Al-Yawm, Egypt, January 8, 2013.

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