Iran interested in talks with U.S. based on mutual respect

TEHRAN, Sept. 15 (MNA) – “The Iranian government would be interested in continuing negotiations with the U.S. as long as mutual respect was maintained,” Iran''s Ambassador in Bahrain Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in an exclusive interview with Bahrain Tribune.

He said, “All the provocative statements from Washington is just propaganda, it amounts to nothing.

We accommodated them during our negotiations on Iraq. We are very forthcoming they have to change their attitude towards us."

Obama has made statements about us during the course of his campaign and we are not surprised by it. His position is in sync with that of the government in Washington, nothing has changed.”

Commenting on the war on terror in Iraq, he said Iraq was supporting the Iran government in its efforts to fight terrorism. “ We are assisting the government in its reconciliation process and ending violence. In addition we are providing economic assistance in the reconstruction process and we have signed over 100 MOU’s in various fields.”

Speaking on Iran’s nuclear program he reiterated his country’s posi-tion to continue in its dialogue with the International Atomic Energy Agency. “ It is a peaceful program and we are presently working on find-

Iran to continue US negotiations.

We are very serious about this negotiation and we hope an agreement willbe reached”.

Commenting on Israel, he maintained his country would not talk with the regime, despite a subtle change in policy by other countries in this region. “ Others may have talked to officials from Israel but we will not.

We will not do so until and unless they change their policy vis a vis the people of Palestine. We do not consider that regime to be legitimate.”

He categorically denied claims made by Independent MP Shaikh Jassim Al Saidi, that Iran was funding sleeper cells in Bahrain. “ It does not make sense for us to do something like this. We are trying to sort problem in Iraq, which is at our doorstep, and we want peace in our region. This would be going against our stated policy of developing a strong relationshipwith countries in the GCC.”

“HM King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa had expressed his appreciation and promised support to our President Ahmedinijad to improve relations. Our President had elucidated 12 points to focus on.”he said.

With regards to relations with Bahrain he reteirated his country’s desire to improve relations and develop cooperation in various fields.”

Speaking on Iran’s nuclear program he reiterated his country’s position to continue in its dialogue with the International Atomic Energy Agency. “ It is a peaceful program and we are presently working on find the social and economic sphere.

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