Press TV has conducted an interview with Mohammad Marandi, a professor at the University of Tehran, to discuss the situation in Iran.What follows is an approximate transcription of the interview.
Press TV:Lets weigh in on the comments made by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was in New York for the nuclear talks. He spoke of hard decisions ahead but he stated that it is plausible to reach a deal. Tell us more, please.
Marandi:The point that I was trying to make was that the United States, at least from the Iranian perspective, has not been able to make a decision with regards to Irans nuclear program, and to accept the reality on the ground which is Irans insistence to pursue its right to have a peaceful nuclear program. This is really the central problem.
The problem is not with Russia. The Russians are there for a solution. The Chinese also support a solution.
The British, French and Germans basically are powerless. They depend on the United States to make decisions for them.
The problem really lies in Washington. The Iranian foreign minister, in his statements is basically alluding to this point that the United States has to make a political decision, it has to show maturity and to accept and confront reality. If they do that, and at the moment we dont see any real sign of it, then a solution is at hand, and this would come at a time when the United States needs Iran desperately because of the rise of ISIL and extremism throughout the region.
Press TV:Professor Marandi, how far off do you think the two sides are in ironing out their differences and reaching a deal?
Marandi:To be very honest, I think that there is a very large gap and there is no way to overcome this unless the United States makes a move. The Americans may say that both sides need to make a decision but I think the Iranians have already shown the necessary flexibility.
The Iranians under no circumstances are willing to put aside their own sovereignty or negate their sovereignty. President Rouhani said specifically that Iran will not accept nuclear apartheid. I think that for any independent nation, that is a redline that simply cannot be crossed. If the United States fails to recognize that then were not going to have a solution.
The reality on the ground is that Iranians will pursue their peaceful nuclear program not only because they need it but simply because they have the right to pursue a peaceful nuclear program within the context of international law.
The Iranians too recognize that as time goes by it is the United States that is becoming much weaker. The United States and Europeans, in confronting Russia, have been hurt very badly. The United States and the Europeans, by supporting ISIL and extremists in Syria and Libya, have created a disaster that they are now very much fearful of, and the United States is losing its confrontation with China. As China rises, the fortunes of China and the United States declines. The United States really needs Iran more today than ever before. In the future, I think Irans position will continue to grow stronger.
The sooner the United States makes a decision, especially as Arab countries are destabilizing and the future of Saudi Arabia really is unclear because of ISIL and because of the ailing king that they have, that the sooner the United States makes a political decision to accept Irans sovereignty, the better it is for the United States.
By Press TV
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