Mottaki: Iran does not take Clinton's remarks seriously

Tehran, Feb 1, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Sunday that Tehran does not take seriously the statement made by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over failure of US offers to negotiate with Iran over nuclear program.

During a visit to London last week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the failure of the US offers to engage Iran in negotiations over its nuclear program meant the US will now press for increased sanction against Tehran.

“As long as domestic prospect of White House policy on Iran-US relations has not been clarified, we will not take statement of the US secretary of state seriously,” Mottaki told reporters in Addis Ababa.

He said that Ms. Clinton’s efforts to return the US back to the era of failed policies of former US President George W. Bush’s administration will have no benefit for the new US government and the American people.

Mottaki said that Clinton’s election campaign statements were also unacceptable to the American people.

Mottaki said that the conflicting statements made by the US officials about Iran stemmed from current problems with the US foreign policy.

He added that however, it seems that Ms. Clinton’s stance has basic difference with the voices being heard from Washington.

Mottaki said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has for three decades been facing hostile approaches by certain US officials, at the same time, Iran endeavors for peace and stability in the region.

“So, we do not take statement of Ms. Secretary seriously as long as domestic prospect of White House Iran policy is not clear,” he said./end