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Iranian envoy cautions US against consequences of possible attack

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Kuwait City, Nov 18, IRNA
Iran-Kuwait-US
Iran's new Ambassador to Kuwait Ali Jannati on Saturday cautioned the US against consequences of its possible attack on Iran.

Jannati made the remark in an interview with Kuwaiti newspaper of `Ar-Ra'i al-'Aam' (Public Opinion) in response to a question on possibility of any attack by the US or the Zionist regime on Iran.

"The US will not attack Iran. If it makes such a blunder, it will definitely be regretful.

"The possibility (of the US or the Zionist regime's attack) is unlikely because Washington and Tel Aviv are well aware of Tehran's reaction," he said.

Asked about recently held military maneuvers staged by Iran and the US in the Persian Gulf, he added that the military maneuver of the US and its allies in the Persian Gulf had no significance.

"Iran's military maneuver was not in a reaction to that of the US because we had drawn up plans for our great maneuver since months ago," he said.

Jannati added, "We believe that foreign forces are currently present in the region under pretext of providing regional security while their presence will inflict damage to regional security and stability. "The most blatant example of this is current situation in Iraq."

He stated, "Iran has told its neighboring states that member countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) have capabilities to provide security and stability in the region in cooperation with Iran and Iraq without presence of foreign forces." He rejected rumors of Iran's interference in Iraq's internal affairs, saying, "Allegation about Iran's interference in Iraqi affairs is a sheer lie.

"The reality is that we have (a friendly) influence on Iraq which is quite natural because over 65 percent of the Iraqi people are Shi'ite who are deeply interested in Iran."

The envoy added, "Most of current Iraqi officials and politicians had been against former regime in the country. Several of these individuals have lived in Iran.

"Leaders of Iraq's Kurds including (Jalal) Talabani and (Nechirvan) Barzani have good relations with Iran but this does not mean that Iran is interfering in Iraqi affairs."

Pointing to Iran's peaceful nuclear program, he said, "Iran's nuclear activities are quite peaceful. We have a complete nuclear fuel cycle but our uranium enrichment activities are limited to production of 3.5-5 percent uranium.

"Iran's nuclear program is under supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Production of nuclear weapons needs an over 90 percent uranium."

Asked about reasons behind Iran's insistence on enriching uranium inside its territory, Jannati said, "Our insistence emanates from our inalienable right for enrichment particularly with respect to the fact that Iran has been committed to all international regulations." In response to a question on Tehran's assistance for Lebanese Hezbollah and Somalia's Islamists, the diplomat replied, "Iran provided merely financial aid to Lebanese Hezbollah.

"Allegations on providing weapons to Somalia are made by the CIA to exert pressure on Iran."

The envoy rejected allegations made by Western circles on Iran's efforts to lead al Qaeda, saying, "Mental and political beliefs of Iran are against those of al Qaeda.

"The group is currently carrying out terrorist acts in Iraq in cooperation with Iraqi Baathists."
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