The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran expressed his happiness that an Iranian lawyer has won the Nobel Peace Prize, but urged her to use this award for the benefit of Islam and Iran. Mohammad Khatami, speaking to reporters in the Islamic Consultative Assembly just hours before Shirin Ebadi's return from Paris to Tehran, advised her to pay attention to the interests of Islam and Iran and not to allow her new position to be misused or exploited. Khatami also criticized the Nobel Committee, stating that political motivations are hidden behind the Peace Prize. He remarked that the Peace Prize is not as significant compared to the scientific Nobel Prizes. The President criticized the United States as the greatest threat to world peace and security. Ms. Ebadi has stated that she hopes her new position will help in the release of political prisoners in Iran.
Mohammad Khatami Advises Shirin Ebadi to Consider the Interests of Islam and Iran - 2003-10-14
Mohammad Khatami congratulated Shirin Ebadi on winning the Nobel Peace Prize but advised her to focus on the interests of Islam and Iran. He criticized the Nobel Committee for political motivations behind the award and labeled the U.S. as a major threat to global peace. This interaction highlights the delicate balance between international recognition and domestic political considerations in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
President Khatami congratulated Shirin Ebadi on her Nobel Peace Prize win but urged her to prioritize the interests of Islam and Iran. He also criticized the Nobel Committee's motivations and labeled the U.S. as a threat to peace.
- Shirin Ebadi won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in human rights.
- Khatami expressed concerns about the political implications of the award.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Nobel Peace Prize has often been viewed through a political lens, especially in authoritarian regimes like Iran, where government officials may feel threatened by international recognition of dissent.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%