'Only financial support.' Larijani (archive photo)
Photo: Reuters
Iranian nuclear facility in Natanz
Photo: AFP
Iran admits to supporting Hamas, Hizbullah
In interview with Newsweek, chairman of Islamic Republic’s Supreme National Security Council says terror groups merely ‘defending their own land.’ Additional UN sanctions won’t impede nuclear program, he adds
“We do support Hizbullah and Hamas; that is right. But these two are not terrorist groups. These are the two groups that are defending their own land,” Ali Larijani, the chairman of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, told Newsweek magazine in an interview published on Friday.
Asked about the US’s policy to support Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas since Hamas’ takeover of Gaza, Larijani said, “With such moves the Americans are just placing themselves head on with the Palestinian people. Have the Americans seen any miracle coming out of the support they have given to Abbas? We have always said that as a popular movement Hamas is supported by us.”
However, the top Iranian official added that, “We have never given any arms support. Only financial support to the Hamas government.”
'What would be the benefit?'
Speaking at his Tehran office to Newsweek reporter Michael Hirsh, Larijani also discussed Iran’s controversial nuclear program.
“We do believe we should have our rights through the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (to develop civilian nuclear power). And we believe that nobody should deviate toward a bomb … I ask you now, ever since the NPT came into effect (in 1970), have the countries in possession of nuclear weapons destroyed them? Don’t we hear about new generations of nuclear weapons that the Americans and British are developing?
“The countries that have already developed nuclear weapons, have they ever accepted the NPT, like Pakistan, India and others? We would like to work within the framework of the NPT,” he said.
Responding to recent statements by the Americans and Europeans that if Iran doesn’t suspend enrichment they will move ahead to a third UN Security Council resolution that will place more sanctions on Iran, Larijani said, “Let’s assume they would be willing to pursue this course. What would be the benefit? Have the past two resolutions impeded our activities? They can pass another resolution, and we would make another, longer stride.
“Therefore they cannot solve the Iranian nuclear program. There is a Persian proverb that says if you can open up a knot with your fingers, why should you open it with your teeth?” he said.
