Eurasia Press & News
TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, in remarks aired on Saturday, welcomed the new US president’s emphasis on dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
Iran is monitoring US foreign policy in countries such as Afghanistan to see if improved ties under President Barack Obama might be possible, Mottaki who was in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum told Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
Mottaki meanwhile reiterated that his government would need more detail on US intentions abroad before reviewing Tehran’s relationship with Washington.
“Now we are studying what (are) the practical policies of the United States, towards Afghanistan, for example,” the Iranian foreign minister added.
“What (are) they going to do? Is it a military-based approach?” asked Mottaki.
Mottaki said Iran would negotiate on its nuclear program under the correct circumstances.
The comments come after an interview on Monday with Al-Arabiya television by Obama in which he said, “It is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of US power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran.”
Earlier on Friday, Tehran’s interim Friday Prayers Leader Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, referring to Iran’s nuclear program, said the White House should adopt a “fair” stand on the issue.
“We are still expecting the new US administration to take a fair and reasonable step that does not violate Iran’s rights and also helps ease the concerns of the world,” he added.
The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had also said that he expected a “deep and fundamental” change in Obama’s policies.
“Meet people, talk to them with respect and put an end to the expansionist policies. If you talk about change it must put an end to the US military presence in the world,” Ahmadinejad said.
