Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Quotes

We did not treat the Americans badly. They left Iran in a relaxed mood. The embassy was active here after the revolution. We didn't have any problem with them. They started it.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

We don't have a major problem right now in our country, and life is normal. Things like unemployment, which the youth are suffering from, and the rate of inflation - these are chronic conditions and we have to solve them.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Each department and institution has its own authorities and responsibilities, and they act on that basis. It is wrong to even compare such actions to what is done in Guantanamo or elsewhere by the Americans. They do not stand on a high moral platform to preach to others.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

The problem is that the Iraqi people are facing atrocities from both sides - Zarqawi and also the American troops at times. The Zarqawi groups uses car bombs, the Americans use other bombs. You also know what they do in the prisons.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

I have no idea what the U.S. intends to do further there and what would be the reaction of the Iraqi people. I only know that the sole option is to leave Iraq to the Iraqi people.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

We have no problems with Jews and highly respect Judaism as a holy religion.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

When al-Qaeda was on the run from Afghanistan crossing through Iran, some were arrested and they are imprisoned. Some of them are charged with some actions in Iran.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

There is no doubt that America is a superpower of the world and we cannot ignore them.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

I believe the main solution is to gain the trust of Europe and America and to remove their concerns over the peaceful nature of our nuclear industry and to assure them that there will never be a diversion to military use.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

I think the elections have gone well, although there is so much insecurity in Iraq. So far during the counting of ballots, there has not been a significant complaint. We have to wait to see what the outcome of the counting is.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

And they said if we help with the crisis, they would do a lot of positive acts. After we helped in those crises, they showed negative acts and the Japanese and Turks were ashamed.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

And I gave this directive to them, that if they free our assets in the United States, that would be a sign of goodwill. I have the same idea this time.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

When I talk about the assets, that was at the beginning of the talks. I was president then. I'm not president now. When I said it, this would be a sign of goodwill to begin the talks.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Condi Rice talks tough but she cannot be tough herself.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

I think that Americans should gradually begin to adopt positive behavior rather than doing evil. They should not expect an immediate reaction in return for their positive measures. It will take time.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

The United States is a big country but unfortunately it seems it has the brain of a little bird not befitting the greatness of the country.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Both of them were the children of the United States. They sacrificed their children for the benefit of the others. But they were not very devoted children of the United States.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

We do not trust the goodwill of the U.S. They have cut the ties.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Miss Rice talks very tough. We have gotten used to this nonsense. Miss Rice is a bit emotional about this, and we predicted that she would have a more emotional approach to this.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

We don't have any bad memories of the people of the United States.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

I'm not satisfied with the progress of the work, but I am happy that the talks are going on. It might have a negative effect if the United States joins.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

We want all the Palestinians back in their homeland, and then there can be a fair referendum for people to choose the form of state they want. Whoever gets the majority can rule.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

Goodwill can be indicated in various ways. I raised that particular example because at that time I was in charge. Today, I'm not in a position to present other possibilities.

- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani