Trust Is 'A Two-Way Street'

Whenever the U.S. fails in imposing their policies, they say Iran is to blame.

So you do oppose the status-of-forces agreement?

At the end of the day, the . . . wishes of the [local] people have to be respected.

Do you think that Iran and the U.S. share any common interests in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and do you see any basis for the two countries working together in those areas?

Our position when it comes to Iraq and Afghanistan [is] we want security and stability for those countries. We are calling for the determination of the fate of those two countries to be handed over to the people and to the legally elected governments of those countries. If the U.S. has the same point of view, we have to respond by saying that [it] has chosen the wrong policies to go about this.

Didn't the U.S. invasion of Iraq result in increasing Iran's power?

The difference between us and some others is that they like to interpret everything through a lens of might and power. What we like to do is to look at issues through the perspective of justice and our principled ideas and positions. We feel that perceived power in today's world cannot be the only device utilized in playing a role and being influential.