Larijani Holds US Responsible For Afghanistan Unrest

Islamabad, Feb 13, IRNA -- The Speaker of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ali Larijani on Tuesday held US responsible for unrest in Afghanistan. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said that Afghanistan needs to be helped and Iran is making all-out efforts to help its neighbor. Responding to a question about Iran’s role in Afghanistan he said that Americans are responsible for lots of harms in Afghanistan. He said that Americans had claimed that they were going to Afghanistan to curb terrorism but they have not done anything positive for Afghanistan. “Afghanistan needs to be helped,” he said. The Iranian official said Iran is carrying out development projects in Afghanistan. “We have been encountering strange adventures in Afghanistan as there are reports that lots of drugs have been transported to some countries through Kandhar, Bagraam and other airbases,” he said. “These airports are under the control of US,” he pointed out. Answering a question posed by the correspondent of IRNA he said that people of Pakistan are fully aware about the success of Islamic Revolution. He added that American sanctions have failed to weaken the Islamic Republic and the people of Iran are fully devoted the Islamic Revolution. Ali Larijani to a query said that people of Pakistan are very dear friends of Iran. “The government and people of Pakistan should be counted in the region,” he viewed. He said the government of Pakistan is free to take its own decisions. He said that Iranian and Pakistani officials would not allow anyone to create differences between the two countries. To a question about Iran’s nuclear program he said that in Iran’s nuclear doctrine there is no place of nuclear weapons. He added that Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has issued a fatwa (religious decree) declaring the production, stockpiling, and use of nuclear weapons as haram (prohibited in Islam). “What we want is the access to nuclear knowledge. Americans are making excuses. We have a great deal of respect for the countries of the region. We believe in peaceful coexistence,” said the Iranian Speaker. “In last 34 years, Iran has not attacked any country, but Saddam Hussain attacked Iran with the help of US and some countries of the region, but we did not take any revenge, we forgave them,” he said. He said that we attach great importance to the message of Imam Khomeini regarding unity of Muslim Ummah. Replying to a question about North Korea nuclear tests the Iranian Speaker said, ‘we are against nuclear weapons as they disturb the peace of the world.’ He added that US has to be blamed first because it is making nuclear weapons and this would be a great problem He went on to say that Zionist regime is making nuclear warheads with the support of US which is a real problem. Larijani answering a question regarding Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project said that it is strategic project in the region. He said Iran wants to help his Muslim brothers. The Speaker said it could be a great privilege for Pakistan to receive Iranian gas. He said that Iran has offered its support to build that part of the project which lies in Pakistan. Replying to a question about the future of Iran and 5+1 talks, he said that 5+1 group is creating barriers for Iran that is why these talks are ineffective. He said that US is a great Satan and its media is busy in doing negative propaganda against Iran. Larijani responding to a question about US, Israeli threats to Iran said if US and Zionist regime are left with some brain, they would not start any military conflict with Iran as this would endangere the whole region. He said that some western analysts has said that neither US nor Israel can attack Iran. He asked that why the work of other countries needs approval of US and Zionist regime, what is logic in this. He said that US had supported Shah of Iran and tried to destabilize the Islamic Republic after the Revolution but Imam Khomeini had foiled all their plots. Answering a question about American pressure on IP project the Iranian Speaker said that the project is the will of the people and government of Pakistan. “We do not consider US as the absolute power, Pakistan will not allow its territory against Iran, we do trust on Pakistani officials,” he went on to say. Larijani responding to a question posed by a local journalist rejected the media reports that Iran is helping the CIA. “May the genies have provided this information” he said in a lighter mood. He said that Iran is fully cooperating with Pakistan on electricity projects and wants to enhance this cooperation. Iranian speaker to a question about the silence of Muslim world on Israeli attack on Syria said this is the problem of Muslim world. He added the arch enemy of Muslim Ummah attacks a Muslim country but they remained silent. He said that Syria is being targeted because the country is resisting the Zionist regime. He said that democracy cannot be established through arms. “Americans do not care about democracy in Syria because they are supporting some countries in the region that are absolute monarchies,’ he said. He said that there should be no military intervention in Syria. Ali Larijani added that all Muslims are brothers to each other so there is no reason left for conflict between them. He added that all Muslims believe in the same religion so there is no justification of calling a Muslim as infidel./end