The following is a collection of comments from senior officials in Iran, the United States, Israel, the Group of Eight Industrialized Nations, and Russia about the diplomatic initiatives to resolve disputes over Tehran’s controversial nuclear program. The world’s six major powers—the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia—are set to hold round two on May 23 in Baghdad.
IRAN
Chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, May 18
“Some are saying that the time for negotiations is running out. However, I tell them, ‘What is running out is the policy of exerting pressure. Those who assume that they can exert pressure on the people or hinder Iran’s progress through sanctions must be aware that they are playing on our field… In addition, the people are standing firm on their rights and will not relinquish an iota of them.”
Chairman of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Alaeddin Boroujerdi, May 20
“Iran has never limited its talks with the 5+1 to nuclear issues. Therefore, Iran’s package of proposals includes a number of important issues, including terrorism, campaign against drugs, and energy.”
Parliamentary Declaration, May 21
"The P5+1 should respect the rights of the Iranian nation. And they should ignore the Zionists' pressures and move to change their policy of confrontation to co-operation under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."
UNITED STATES
President Barack Obama, May 19
“We are hopeful about the discussions that will be taking [place] in Baghdad, but all of us are firmly committed to continuing with the approach of sanctions and pressure, in combination with diplomatic discussions. And our hope is, is that we can resolve this issue in a peaceful fashion that respects Iran's sovereignty and its rights in the international community, but also recognizes its responsibilities.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, May 15
“Whether it is meaningful or not in Baghdad will, to a large extent, depend upon the Iranian response. So once the unified position was agreed to, there has been outreach by the P-5+1 to the Iranians to say, “Here is an idea of what we’re expecting, that we want to see as the core of any negotiations, so we want you to come prepared,” because we don’t want to just have a meeting where we present and they say, “We’ll get back to you,” because time is of the essence.
“So we will be taking stock in Baghdad, but we come in good faith. We come with an appropriate set of actions that could be taken by Iran that would be reassuring to the international community, and we wouldn’t be going if we didn’t expect to see Iran respond in kind.”
Senator Lindsey Graham, May 18
“We should tell the Iranians, no negotiations, stop enriching, open up the site on the bottom of the mountain, a secret site. Then we will talk about lifting sanctions. You are not going to get to enrich uranium any more, period.”
ISRAEL
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, May 18
"Obviously, nothing would be better than to see this issue resolved diplomatically. But I have seen no evidence that Iran is serious about stopping its nuclear weapons program. It looks as though they see these talks as another opportunity to deceive and delay, just like North Korea did for years.
“They may try to go from meeting to meeting with empty promises. They may agree to something in principle but not implement it. They might even agree to implement something that does not materially derail their nuclear weapons program.
“Iran is good at playing this chess game. They know that sometimes you have to sacrifice a pawn to save the king. The goal of these negotiations should be very clear: Freeze all enrichment inside Iran. Remove all enriched material outside of Iran. And dismantle Qom. When this goal is achieved, I will be the first to applaud. Until then, count me among the skeptics."
“They may try to go from meeting to meeting with empty promises. They may agree to something in principle but not implement it. They might even agree to implement something that does not materially derail their nuclear weapons program.
“Iran is good at playing this chess game. They know that sometimes you have to sacrifice a pawn to save the king. The goal of these negotiations should be very clear: Freeze all enrichment inside Iran. Remove all enriched material outside of Iran. And dismantle Qom. When this goal is achieved, I will be the first to applaud. Until then, count me among the skeptics."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak, May 16
“But I think that the real challenge now is these negotiations. And what should be done about the negotiations? We strongly believe and we rely upon the United States and the other members of the P5 Plus 1 and expect them to set the bow at the place where it becomes clear that at least once agreed and however long it takes to reach there, it will block Iran from turning military nuclear, which means that there is a need to stop enriching uranium to 20 percent or even to 3.5 percent, to take all the enriched uranium out of the country.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, May 20
"We don't see any readiness from the Iranian side to give up their nuclear ambitions and for them all the engagement, from our point of view, it's clear deception."
Group of Eight Industrialized Nations
Camp David Declaration of G-8 leaders, May 19
“We remain united in our grave concern over Iran’s nuclear program. We call on Iran to comply with all of its obligations under relevant UNSC resolutions and requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Board of Governors. We also call on Iran to continuously comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including its safeguards obligations. We also call on Iran to address without delay all outstanding issues related to its nuclear program, including questions concerning possible military dimensions.
We desire a peaceful and negotiated solution to concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, and therefore remain committed to a dual-track approach. We welcome the resumption of talks between Iran and the E3+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union High Representative).
We call on Iran to seize the opportunity that began in Istanbul, and sustain this opening in Baghdad by engaging in detailed discussions about near-term, concrete steps that can, through a step-by-step approach based on reciprocity, lead towards a comprehensive negotiated solution which restores international confidence that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. We urge Iran to also comply with international obligations to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion, and end interference with the media, arbitrary executions, torture, and other restrictions placed on rights and freedoms.”
RUSSIA
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, May 20
“It is one of many various signals coming from various sources that the military option is considered as realistic and possible. We are receiving signals, both through public and intelligence channels, that this option is now being reviewed in some capitals as more applicable in this situation. We are very worried about this. We do not want the region and the world to fall into...new divisions and bitter political arguments."