TEHRAN: Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani yesterday said the United States must stop “boxing” in the Middle East and adopt itself to a game of “chess,” local news agencies reported.
Speaking to a group of Greek reporters in Tehran, Larijani said the policies of Washington had harmed the region as well the United States.
“What is happening in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine is against the interests of the people of the region and itself (United States),” Larijani was quoted as saying by Mehr news agency. “The United States has to play chess, not box.”
Iran has been a vocal supporter of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and also funds the Hamas government.
Washington and Tehran have had turbulent relations for three decades since the Islamic revolution in Iran toppled the US-backed shah in 1979.
The tension between the arch-foes further rose in the past few years following Iran’s controversial nuclear program which the West suspects is aimed at acquiring atomic weapons, a charge Tehran denies, saying it is purely for peaceful purposes.
“The problems between Iran and the United states are emotional and could not be resolved just by speeches. They need action,” Larijani said. “The United States has to change its attitude regarding Iranian people.”
The two countries, however, have shown tentative signs of policy shift after US President Barack Obama said his administration would hold “face-to-face” talks with Iran in the coming months.
Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad respondend on Feb. 10 in a speech marking the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, saying Tehran was prepared to talk with Washington based on mutual respect and equality.
