Hamid Reza Taraghi serves as deputy for international affairs at the Islamic Coalition Party ["Hezb-e Motalefeye Eslami"]. He spoke to Rooz about the resignation of Ali Larijani, former head of Iran's National Security Council. Below is an excerpt from this interview.
Rooz (R): Mr. Ahmadinejad has said that the nuclear case is closed, though it was expected that continuing negotiations with Western countries would prevent a third resolution from passing against Iran at the UN Security Council. In your opinion, what does this “closing” mean?
Hamid Reza Taraghi (HRT): Given that Iran has responded to the [International Atomic Energy] Agency’s worries and no questions remain, and on the other hand, in the 5+1 group of countries, the standing of Russia, China, Germany, and even Britain has changed with respect to Iran’s nuclear program, with them not wanting to pursue heavier sanctions, and the United States and France are the only two countries that insist on their old positions, Iran’s nuclear case has been essentially closed. Therefore, we do not find it necessary to continue negotiating with the aforementioned countries, and the case must be referred back to the IAEA, like those of other countries that are members of the Agency. For this reason, Mr. Ahmadinejad believes that the nuclear case is essentially closed.
R: In the past recent months there have been many discussions in the Western press about limited attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. How seriously do Islamic Republic officials take these threats?
HRT: Islamic Republic officials have taken seriously every single possibility and threat, even implicit ones and those based on rumors, and have come up with defensive plans accordingly. They are not in any way worried about defending national interests from threats and are ready to protect the country.
R: Do you think that the change in Revolutionary Guards leadership was connected to Mr. Larijani’s removal?
HRT: No. These processes follow their own natural course under the leadership of the supreme leader. Each person serves in his post for a limited time and when the time comes the supreme leader makes the change. Most of these posts are for limited time.
R: So Mr. Larijani’s removal took place under the supervision of the supreme leader?
HRT: Certainly it would not have happened if he were against it.
R: Given the close affiliation between Mr. Larijani and the supreme leader, what is the meaning of this change?
HRT: This decision was made with an eye to the future. It is certainly backed by expert opinions. The supreme leader must have approved those expert opinions to let this change happen.
