Iran: The Only Effect of US Pressure is to Reduce the Possibility of Understanding - 2003-06-09. The Iranian government states that US pressures on Iran to abandon its nuclear program only serve to diminish the possibility of dialogue and understanding between Iran and the US regarding this issue. The spokesperson for the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Reza Asifi, claims that severe pressure on Tehran strengthens the hardliners in the Islamic Republic who believe such negotiations are a waste of time. In a conversation with reporters in Tehran, the spokesperson urged the US to refrain from using what he called 'the language of force,' which would be counterproductive and have the opposite effect. US officials have repeatedly accused Iran of attempting to produce nuclear weapons and providing refuge and bases to members of the terrorist network al-Qaeda within its territory. The Iranian regime has denied these allegations. The US and Iran, which have not had diplomatic relations since the Islamic Revolution, began talks earlier this year, but discussions were halted following the suicide bombings on May 12 in Saudi Arabia, which US officials believe were carried out by al-Qaeda operatives based in Iran. On Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), affiliated with the United Nations, published a report indicating that the Islamic Republic has not complied with nuclear guarantees. The IAEA sent a group of inspectors to Iran earlier this week, but the spokesperson for the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that this visit had been scheduled months ago and is unrelated to the recent report. He said this visit demonstrates that Iran seeks cooperation with the IAEA. Iran has been advised to sign an agreement that would allow IAEA inspectors to conduct more thorough inspections. However, Washington states that before Iran accepts such an agreement, the US must lift its sanctions against the Islamic Republic regime.
Iran: The Only Effect of US Pressure is to Reduce the Possibility of Understanding
The Iranian government claims that US pressure to abandon its nuclear program only reduces the chances for dialogue. The spokesperson criticized the US for using forceful language, which he argues strengthens hardliners in Iran. This situation is significant as it highlights ongoing tensions and the challenges in US-Iran relations.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Iran claims US pressure reduces dialogue on nuclear issues.
- Iranian government announce United States
- Mohammad Reza Asifi urge United States
- US officials accuse Iran
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
US pressure on Iran is counterproductive to achieving dialogue on nuclear issues.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%