By Anwar Elshamy
Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stressed that the nuclear file has been “closed”. He said it was no longer an issue since Iran has already complied with requirements for inspections set by the International Atomic Agency (IAA)
Addressing a press conference held yesterday at the Doha Four Seasons, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran will not succumb to threats and was prepared for repercussions.
“There is no use raising the issue of Iran’s nuclear file. We do not feel under threat. We are looking forward to the future and the past will never repeat itself. The reports of the International Atomic Agency made it clear that Iran is complying with the requirements of the body and hence the UN Security Council resolutions about the nuclear file were based on “misinformation”, he said, while observing that all the current political pressures over Iran to make concessions are merely  a “media propaganda” campaign led by two countries.
“There are only two countries pressuring us to make concessions. I hope they will admit their mistake and stop their media propaganda against us because it has lost objectivity. The Iranian people have chosen this path and will not accept any further pressure or make any concessions as the nuclear file has reached its end. All the talk between Iran and the USA about the nuclear file started with the victory of Iran’s Islamic revolution,” he maintained.
About three disputed islands claimed by the UAE, and occupied by Iran in the seventies, he said that there were no obstacles to bilateral relations between Iran and the UAE.
“We have strong ties with all our neighbouring countries including the UAE. I visited the UAE a few months ago when I had friendly talks with my brethren there about promoting ties,” he said, while observing that Iran’s biggest trade partner within the GCC is the UAE.
On why his speech was non-controversial and did not touch on any issues between Iran and the GCC, he said he preferred to highlight points of agreement and promote cooperation.
“We will not make any progress if we stick only to our differences. I believe that these sticking points are only in the minds of media persons because whenever I meet with leaders of GCC states, we usually do not discuss such issues. Our talks are always friendly,” he said, while observing that the GCC states support Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
On the situation in Iraq, he stressed that Iran is supporting the sovereignty of all the countries of the region including Iraq. “If any country in the region has been attacked by some powers, we will defend it against such attack,” he added.
He also hoped that his participation in the 28th GCC summit would usher in a new era of prosperity.
“It is time for foreign troops to leave the region. They came in response to some sort of invitation and should leave now,” he added.