Did Iran respond appropriately to the questions posed by the US government?
In an interview with CNN’s Larry King tonight, Iran’s President Ahmadinejad was asked what he meant by stating that the Zionist regime should be wiped off the face of the earth. He responded by saying that this year is the 4th year he attends the annual session of the United Nations, yet the nature of the questions posed to him have not changed despite the magnitude of changes the world has undergone during these years. The Iranian President embraced the idea of friendly relations with all nations, including Americans, if such relations are based on mutual respect and fairness. However, he added, the Iranians have no options but to resist and defend themselves when faced with bullying by the American government. Dr. Ahmadinejad spoke of the letter he wrote to the American President, George W. Bush, and Iran’s help in establishing government and security in Iraq as among the measures undertaken by the Islamic Republic towards peace with the American people and said, “These measures coul
WASHINGTON // Even as Barack Obama has praised the “constructive beginning” to US diplomatic engagement with Iran, a simultaneous effort is under way here to stiffen US sanctions against the Tehran government. Mr Obama has called for “increased pressure” on Iran if talks fail to assuage US concerns about the Islamic republic’s secretive nuclear programme. Members of Congress from both parties, meanwhile, have proposed a variety of measures that would authorise the president to impose harsher sanctions as a parallel track to diplomacy. Senator Christopher Dodd, chairman of the senate banking committee, said in a hearing on Iran sanctions yesterday that he plans to move forward this month with “comprehensive sanctions legislation”. “I am committed, as I think my colleagues are as well, to ensuring that this congress equips this president with all of the tools he needs to confront the threats posed by Iran,” he said. “Our legislation will complement … and reinforce ongoing diplomatic effo
