Quotes from Iranian Officials on Foreign Influence in the Situation in Iran

In response to President Barack Obama's remarks on the Iranian uprising during his June 23 press conference, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad demanded an apology from the White House. However, prior to the President’s rhetorical escalation, many Iranian officials, including Ahmadinejad, made numerous statements decrying alleged foreign influence in Iran. Below is a round-up of such statements by senior Iranian officials since the June 12 elections.   

ON U.S. INFLUENCE:

Hossein Maleki, Iranian Ambassador to Kabul (August 20): “Unfortunately after the victory of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad we saw inconsiderate interferences by the Americans [in Iran's domestic affairs]… [However,] it is natural that if a unified and single approach is adopted, our officials would review it and there are many issues in Afghanistan that we can cooperate with other countries on.”[1]

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, Member of the Assembly of Experts (August 14): “It is for what you [the Obama administration] have done [in supporting the protesters] that you are considered a criminal.”[2]

Mohammad Karamirad, Member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (August 10): “[The] illegal entry [of the three American hikers] cannot be altogether unrelated to the post-election unrest... What mission were the three pursuing in Iran? Why did not they apply for Iran visas? In the most optimistic scenario, we think that the three had plans to interfere in Iran's internal affairs.”[3]

Hojjat al-Eslam Taeb, Basij Chief (August 2): “[The US] activated the BBC, and Persian language networks used the internet in a maximal way to disrupt the election and aimed a goal which was either victory [to their candidate of preference Mousavi] or [claim of] fraud... Therefore they were in connection with Mousavi and they provoked incidents both inside and outside the country, and some parties were also pursuing the goal of toppling the ninth government and make another government come to power and they worked so much on Mousavi that Mousavi himself believed that if he does not win, fraud has taken place... They planned two short messages: One was a fraudulent letter from Mr. Hashemi [Rafsanjani] sent to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution [prior to the election] and the Leader answering this letter said that the intelligent people of Iran will answer the liars at the ballot. The second short message was the assembly in front of the Interior Ministry... On the Monday after the election they attacked Basij bases and killed seven Basij members... Faezeh Hashemi [Rafsanjani’s daughter] was involved in a commemoration service, but when she found out that the Supreme Leader was going to lead the Friday Prayer she annulled her program in order to prepare a new plan to disrupt the Friday Prayer... One tactic was that of being present in the vicinity of the Friday prayer which they did during the past three weeks... Another tactic was to continue their movement and become institutionalized and multiply their leaders into Mousavi, Khatami and Karrubi… Yet another tactic was to in an organized media attack to question the legitimacy of the regime after the vetting of the Guardian Council. In this attempt, the BBC even aired an interview with [Nobel laureate] Shirin Ebadi and some lawyers who accused the regime and the government of being liars... The majority of our population are members of the Basij and therefore we must deal a blow into the mouth of the imperialism with discussion and arguments in order to defeat their discord so that the regime is left unharmed...”[4]

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (July 7): “We initially took the policy of change announced by Barack Obama the present American president seriously, because Bush made some dramatic mistakes in the region and with Iran, and we still have hope Obama can realize this slogan. But we have not yet seen any serious signs. Obama renewed economic sanctions against Iran for another year and adopted a negative position over recent incidents. So we have yet to see the change claimed by Obama, allowing us to adopt a new policy in this respect.”[5]

Hossein Shariatmadari, Director of and Representative of the Supreme Leader to the Kayhan Institute (June 30): “The bulk of documents gained from the seizure of the American Embassy and published in more than 100 volumes of books show clearly that one of the most important missions of American diplomats stationed in Iran was keeping relationship with their like-minded individuals and groups and bribing individuals inside Iran for conspiracies and setting the country ablaze… Existing evidence leave no slightest doubt that the British Embassy in Iran is playing the exact role played by the American Embassy, which is now closed, and that it has taken over the mission of the Americans. The question to the honorable authorities of our Foreign Ministry is that if the former American Embassy had to be closed because it had changed into a den of espionage, why should the British Embassy, which is carrying out the exact mission, not be closed?”[6]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (June 27): “Bullying powers, including the United States,  must correct their behavior, language and thoughts with regard to the Iranian nation...Today, those making accusations against the Iranian nation or other nations have been unmasked...We had no hopes from a couple of European countries, but we did not expect from Obama, who claims change, to meddle in the affairs of Iran and make inappropriate statements about the Iranian nation...Even if we had spent billions of tomans on propaganda and diplomatic efforts, we could not have convinced some that they are continuing the policies of previous American leaders...The Iranian nation is ready to help the bullying powers, including the United States, to change the intellectual foundations for preservation of justice...If you do not listen to my loving advice in order to correct your behavior towards world countries, including the Iranian nation, destiny of Mr. Bush - who was humiliated by God - is awaiting you...If you continue your interventions and your impolite behavior towards the Islamic Republic of Iran, the answer of the Iranian nation would be decisive and you would regret...The enemies thought they could weaken the strength of the Iranian nation, but it is clear to all that it was futile...The bullying powers don't know the Iranian nation. If they think that the Iranian government will be affected by their behavior and propaganda, they are utterly wrong. From now on, thanks to divine knowledge, we will deal with them from a stronger position, ensuring friendship and seeking justice...The Iranian nation and government are pursuing establishment of justice in all over the world...The Islamic Republic will forcefully take on the bullying powers and will take them to an international court...”[7]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (June 26): “The European countries and America are angry about the vast participation of the Iranian people in the process. Therefore, they speak some nonsense.... If Britain and a couple of European countries, whose past conduct is well-known did some things during these days, it is not important. But why was the President of the United States trapped by them?... The questions is why Obama is repeating George Bush's words these days?...Is it how Obama wanted to engage in a dialogue with Iran?...Before repeating the scandals of the Bush era, Obama should correct himself and I say this to him because I care for him...I suggest that Obama correct himself before it is late and abstain from intervening in Iran's affairs.”[8]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (June 25): “Didn't he [President Obama] say that he was after change? Definitely, they have made a mistake… If you continue your meddlesome stance, the Iranian nation's response will be crushing and regret-inducing.”[9]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (June 25):  “Mr. Obama made a mistake to say those things [at the June 23 press conference. The election had brought a chance for a] new start in international relations [in which Iran would] speak from a different position based on dialogue and justice…  We were not expecting Mr. Obama [to] fall into the same trap [as Britain and other European countries] and continue the same path that Bush did. I hope you avoid the interfering in Iran’s affairs and express your regret in a way that the Iranian people find out about it.”[10]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (June 25): “Do you [President Obama] want to speak with this tone? If that is your stance then what is left to talk about?”[11]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (June 25): “We don't count on the British government and some other European countries whose actions are clear and have no reputation in the world. They are political retarded groups and have become desperate in managing their own country and therefore make such remarks against Iran to cover their own crimes… Do you want to use this language with Iran? If this is your stance, there will be nothing left to talk about. Do you think this behaviour will solve your problems? This will not have any result except that the people will consider you someone similar to Bush… I hope you will avoid interfering in Iran's affairs and express regret in a way that the Iranian people are informed of it… In case of a real change from you, the Iranian nation would welcome it.”[12]

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader (June 19): “The problem of the enemies of Iran is that they don't know the Iranian nation. They thought this is Georgia so they can start a velvet revolution... The Americans who today portray themselves as concerned about the Iranian nation and human rights are those who burned members of a Davoudi sect alive in a house in America - women, men and children burned alive. This happened during the presidency of this lady [reference to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton] who these days are saying such things.”[13]

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader (June 19): “The American president was quoted as saying that he expected the people of Iran to take to the streets. On the one hand, they [the Obama administration] write a letter to us to express their respect for the Islamic Republic and for re-establishment of ties, and on the other hand they make these remarks. Which one of these remarks are we supposed to believe? Inside the country, their agents were activated. Vandalism started. Sabotaging and setting fires on the streets started. Some shops were looted. They wanted to create chaos. Public security was violated. The violators are not the public or the supporters of the candidates. They are the ill-wishers, mercenaries and agents of the Western intelligence services and the Zionists.”[14]

Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi, President Ahmadinejad’s top political adviser (June 18): “I hope in the case of the elections they [the Obama administration] realize their interference is a mistake, and that they don't repeat this mistake. They'll certainly regret this. They'll have problems reestablishing relations with Iran.”[15]

ON WESTERN GOVERNMENTS IN GENERAL:

Mir Masoud Hosseinian, Charge d'Affaires at the Iranian Embassy in Beirut (August 18): “We stood against the West during all these 30 years. And that resistance has created a hatred in their hearts. They sought an opportunity for revenge… Iran is a country that has stood for 30 years against the United States and Britain, the arrogance of the West. They want that Iran and the current regime does not exist! Whether an Iran with [former President] Mohammad Khatami or Mousavi or Ahmadinejad… they want this regime to disappear… Unfortunately there were management problems within the [election] system that distorted the rules of the game. The West benefited from the opportunity to sow mischief… [W]hen you see the foreign news channels, which, even after 40 days, continue to make use of the first images of the unrest, that means they want to put oil on the fire.”[16]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (August 16): “That gentleman who speaks of change, what does he want to change? The imploded imperialist [Britain] committed many mistakes by intervening overtly in internal affairs of Iran...Some of the elites of this country thought that by starting a Persian language television channel [BBC Persian] they can achieve their goals in the regime of the Islamic Republic but they have not yet understood the nature of the Guardian Jurist of the Iranian nation...You should know that during the past 30 years, the Iranian nation has been magnanimous and has dealt with you respectfully. But whenever a chant is sung against Iran, you are behind it and today you have overtly intervened in internal affairs of Iran. Now you want this problem to be solved? Yes, the Iranian nation will solve this problem by slapping the ill-wishers so hard in the face that they will not even be able to find their way home!”[17]

Ayatollah Mohsen Mojtahed Shabestari, Tabriz Friday Prayer Leader (August 14): “Frank confessions of suspects clearly showed that the enemy played a hand in the discord before and after the election in order to start a velvet revolution supported by certain elements inside the country... Many years have passed since the Islamic revolution took place in Iran, but they [Britain and the United States] still have their imperialist nature and look for excuses to deal blows to the regime... The interventionist... approach of the U.S. Secretary of State, along with American and British authorities in support of the reformists and in defense of the rioters, unmasks the ugly face of America and Britain to everyone and shows that rioters were involved in a soft regime toppling [attempt]... Following the recent events, the United States and Britain, which were loathed in the minds of the Iranian people, have become even more detested... Based upon clear confessions of the employees at the British Embassy, it has become clear that foreign countries, especially Britain, both before and after the election, were involved in unleashing discord especially in Tehran, in order to start a velvet revolution and coup supported by foreigners...”[18]

Majlis of Iran, Statement signed by 215 of 290 Members of Parliament (August 12): “Hasty and unwise comments made by US and French foreign ministers in support of post-election rioters and interference by the British embassy in Tehran are clear examples of meddling in Iran's domestic affairs… [We] strongly condemn these rude interferences and urge the government and the president to readjust ties with these countries according to their behaviour so they will know Iran's response will not be limited to words.”[19]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (August 10): “[The] comments [made by Frenchwoman Clotilde Reiss and two Iranians working for French and British embassies in Tehran] in the court were unlawful, illogical and surprising. This French lady says she was a French language teacher in Isfahan... then she takes part in protests, takes photographs and film. This has nothing to do with her French teaching… Do we interfere in other countries' state matters? Why should they interfere in ours? Iran will strongly resist such meddling… Why don't they [the West] leave us and our people alone?”[20]

Hojjat al-Eslam Taeb, Basij Chief (August 10): “The enemies have invested a lot in the election and chose this election as a base to deal blows to the revolution. They defined it as a win-win situation, so either a government prone to negotiations with the United States would come to power, or for that matter a government which is pro-American, work on nation building and make the people fight the people and the elites counter other elites… The United States knows that in our system, we can't have a government which is a stooge of the Americans, but it is possible to use methods to have a government which is more cooperative. This is why they took the first operational step of this plan... After this, the discourse and dichotomy of 'war-seeking' and 'peace-seeking' was introduced in such a way that those seeking war believes that Israel must be annihilated and one must resist the United States. The peace seeking discourse on the other hand believes that relations must be established with the United States in order to get rid of the sanctions. By the way of [constructing] this dichotomy they wanted to provoke conflict and crisis in the country...”[21]

Ali-Asghar Zarei, Member of Parliament and Advisor to the Iranian President (August 9): “Our intelligence sources say that the Mousavi camp not only laid the foundation for a coup, but also offered their full support to foreign intelligence agents in Iran… They had full knowledge and yet they did nothing to prevent them from acting against Iranian interests… Without the help of foreign media outlets such as the BBC and VOA, Mousavi could have never spread such baseless rumors about the election conduct… If it wasn't for the help extended by Mousavi, British diplomats could not have interfered in the post-election events.”[22]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (August 8): “Even after we informed them [Western nations] of their mistake they continued their physiological warfare against the new government.”[23]

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali-Akbar Qoreishi, Expediency Council Member (August 6): “These individuals [former president Khatami and presidential candidate Mousavi] are the people who act on behalf of Israel, the United States and Britain attempted to unleash developments and equations in order to stop the progress of the Islamic revolution of Iran and in order to topple it… According to accurate and real documents in the Mousavi residence, there was a room in which [Mousavi was engaged in] realizing the imperialist goals of Britain and Mousavi and his entourage were planning to reach such goals… [Rafsanjani's latest Friday Prayer] sermon was held in concordance with the conspiratorial goals of imperialist countries who try to unleash unrest in society…  They [Khatami and Mousavi] have made the Iranian nation suffer and this is a great injustice to the honorable and intelligent people of Iran… They must be condemned and one must not show mercy...”[24]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (August 5): “We heard that some of the Western leaders had decided to recognize but not congratulate the new government... Well, no one in Iran is waiting for your messages... Iranians will neither value your scowling and bullying nor will they pay attention to your smiles and greetings.”[25]

Ali Larijani, Majlis Speaker (August 5): “This convergence [the election and swearing in of Ahmadinejad] will send a message to the West that the Iranian nation will remain united to foil the enemy's plots… Certain Western powers ridiculed themselves by their hasty behavior towards post-election events.”[26]

Yadollah Javani, IRGC Political Department Chief (August 2): “[The United States and other Western countries wanted to kick up a velvet revolution in Iran.] One knows that color revolutions like Georgia's Rose Revolution and Ukraine's Orange Revolution were US-instigated and meant to make states of the former USSR pursue Washington's policies and serve its interests.”[27]

Manouchehr Mottaki, Iranian Foreign Minister (July 31): “Britain's policies towards Iran have been hostile and meddlesome, and of course they were defeated in the face the Iranian nation's resistance… In these [post-election] events, not all Western countries behaved the same, and it is Britain that has the worst record. It interferes the most in the internal affairs of other countries and it still entertains fantasies of the Great British Empire… [Britain interfered in Iran after the presidential election] through television channels, which taught ways of creating disturbance, and preparing explosives, and this means that they share the responsibility for the post-election events and killings… [In a telephone conversation with Carl Bildt, the Foreign Minister of Sweden and current EU president] I said that the EU is going through a transitory period. After following US policies unilaterally, it has now adopted certain anti-Iran policies and it must reconsider these… [Regarding Iran's relations with the US] we have been following Obama's words since before his election, and we say, if you believe that everyone should participate in international affairs, then why are you not committed to its prerequisite?... [Nevertheless, any negotiations] must have clear objectives. What practical steps from the US have there been?”[28]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (July 30): “We will take them [Western nations] by the collar and slam their heads into the ceiling.”[29]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (July 27): “They [Western nations] have devised their own rules and criteria and view themselves as the judges… and even if a country holds 30 elections, based on their rules they will say that democracy is not being put in practice while they approve of the most dictatorial states.”[30]

Ali Larijani, Majlis Speaker (July 26): “Iran's regional standing was stabilized in recent years after experiences, ups and downs as well as the ruling system's resistance against the US and Zionism… It was not so strange to see that enemies, particularly the United States and Israel, concentrate their efforts on disturbing Iran's status [during the June 12 presidential election].”[31]

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, Member of the Assembly of Experts (July 24): “There are some who no longer consider it shameful to be in contact with the foreigners and reasoned: 'In order to achieve victory we need a social shock, but also an external shock.' The external shock is the support of foreign media of the rioters...When the honorable Minister of Intelligence says that during the past two months some election headquarters have been in contact with foreign embassies - including the British Embassy - more than hundred times, what should we do with such sorrow? Britain which is the stupid old imperialist, our nation has not seen anything from it but betrayal, conspiracy and deceit...Some people connected to the political groupings even before the election said that they were in contact with America and urged it to have relations with Iran when succeed Ahmadineajd in office. Now, I ask this, what is relationship with America worth? You poor idiots, think of the people. You who want to establish relationship with Radio America and the BBC, you are unfortunate. America only pursues its own interests...”[32]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (July 16): “During the whole election process, certain foreign countries attempted to push the country to the brink of civil war... I have told the enemies that this nation will strike you in the face so hard you will lose your way home… If each and every one of the Western countries that oppose Iran's nuclear program joins forces, they would still fail to deprive the Iranian nation of its inalienable nuclear rights.”[33]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (July 16): “As soon as the new government is established, with power and authority, ten times more than before, it will enter the global scene and will bring down the global arrogance. They should wait as a new wave of revolutionary thinking... from the Iranian nation is on the way and we will not allow the arrogant [powers] to even have one night of good sleep.”[34]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (July 13): “[The West has] contradictory stands regarding the issue of human rights… The West has kept silence regarding the murder of a Muslim woman in Germany while they show furious reaction towards the pre-planned unrest created by certain groups in Iran… The sad event indicated corruption of the country's [Germany's] judicial system.”[35]

Ayatollah Ahmed Jannati, Head of Iran's Guardian Council (July 13): “Do you in the West expect Iran to become like Ukraine and Georgia with street protests after the election then a velvet revolution; a system to be toppled and a government, directed by you, to take over? Your idiocy and stupidity are really limitless.”[36]

Gholamreza Karami, Member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (July 11): “The enemies should know that their intrigues in Iran should not remain unrequited and Iran will give a crushing response to them on time… Westerners should know that by creating unrest and riots they not only do not achieve their devilish targets but also make their dirty image more apparent… The Westerners, especially Americans, interfered actively in the election process in Iran. By creating riots and clashes, they tried to make Iran face a rebellion… Once they saw that they could do nothing through these riots, they realized that a holed hat was put on their head and understood that Iran will reconsider its relations with them.”[37]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (July 9): “The enemies of the Iranian people are very angry because, despite their efforts and propaganda, a government will be in power with the support of 40 million votes… We will not give them any advantage, and they must interact with this government.”[38]

Yadollah Javani, IRGC Political Department Chief (July 9): “By disclosing the face of the new discord, the Islamic revolution has soundly passed through a great danger and with the deep knowledge that the vigilant and Supreme Leader-abiding people of Iran have about the political parties and groupings and the soft threats and the nature of the cultural NATO of the West and methods of soft regime toppling, especially the model of color revolution, one must say that the Islamic Revolution has been guaranteed for at least twenty years, as the following proofs suggest… [Fifth,] the true nature of the Obama administration which tried to fool the Iranian nation with the slogan of change was disclosed to all the people and all the religious and political elites.”[39]

Morteza Tamaddon, Governor-General of Tehran (July 9): “The enemies of the Iranian nation [Western countries] are angry with the post-election calm in Iran and try to damage it through their TV channels.”[40]

Ziaollah E'zazi, Iranian Member of Parliament (July 9): “Those [interfering Western] countries should know that Iranian authorities will reconsider the country's relations with them and will give an appropriate response to them… The US and West should know that the Iranian nation will remain vigilant and will not let them interfere in the country's internal affairs.”[41]

Ali-Akbar Velayati, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Supreme Leader (July 8): “Those supporting this usurper regime [Israel]… know that the Middle East is an extremely sensitive region with a very fragile political and economic balance [which would be upset by any military attack on Iran].”[42]

Ali-Akbar Velayati, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Supreme Leader (July 8): “[The] Iranian nation has stood in front of the foreigners' hegemonic policies… Enemies are going to recruit agents in Iran and overthrow the Islamic system. The enemies have never had a correct estimations about our internal affairs… [The] Italian Foreign Minister suffers lack of a correct understanding about the Middle East and Iran.”[43]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (July 7): “I don't know how to thank the nation [for the large turnout at the election]. The people, despite the difficult election situation, shook the unpopular and capitalist systems of the West.”[44]

Hoseyn Eslami, Deputy-Head of the 8^th Majlis Article 90 Committee (July 7): “Efforts to establish relations with such countries as America and Great Britain, whose constitutions differ from our country's constitution, are a waste of time, and the 10th government should try and expand ties with countries that are not against our principles… In the realm of international diplomacy, we have sworn enemies whose constitutions are different from the Islamic Republic's constitution, and nothing will happen in those countries with a change of president or foreign minister. As a result it is no use the government spending to have relations with those countries because basically such relations cannot take shape.”[45]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (July 7): “In these elections, the power of the Iranian nation increased manifold and they held the upper hand by far. Of course our arrogant enemies [the West] tried to interfere in our domestic affairs in order to undermine these great elections, which were a source of honor, and to reduce the power of the nation. They tried to reduce our power and weaken our presence in international arenas to defend justice, and other nations, including the Iranian nation. What they did was very wrong and some of our people were, unfortunately, hurt. Of course, some people [inside our country] cooperated with them. Today, on the one hand our enemies are expressing their need for the Iranian nation and are calling for talks, but on the other, they interfere in our domestic affairs. There is a blatant contradiction here. The will of 40 million devoted people who seek Iran's honor, development and independence, has brought unique power and dignity [for the country]. We have always dealt with world issues from a position of dignity and power. They [the West] wanted to undermine this power. Of course, as I said, some people cooperated with them. They said many things, both inside and outside the country. However, our arrogant enemies were [proved to be] wrong again. They do not know the great Iranian nation. They were deceived by Satan and showed their hand to our nation. Our nation favors logic and talks. We do want peace and justice. However, in international equations, we will seek our rights and our rightful position and will not give up. Our arrogant enemies should know that they have left another negative impression in our historical memory, which already had been tarnished. Our nation has not yet forgotten the overthrow of the national government by the same arrogant powers in 28 Mordad 1332 [19 August 1953, when the government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq was toppled]. Their intervention has strengthened and revived that perception. However, we hope that they understand and wake up to compensate for their mistakes.”[46]

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader (July 6): “The enthusiastic election of June 12^th, characterized by the unprecedented 85 percent popular participation, showed that the Islamic revolution after thirty years is capable of making the people participate in the arena. Therefore the enemies started instigating discord among the people, and they succeeded to some degree. But the people must neutralize this conspiracy... Occasionally, the rivalry within the family [of the Islamic Republic] may lead to anger, but this is nothing which the foreigners should engage in... There are some rules. Depicting the Iranian nation as a nation of rioters in the American and European media - which are controlled by the Zionists - is an insult towards the Iranian nation... Such governments must be careful of their hostile statements and behavior since the Iranian nation will react...We will calculate their meddling statements and behaviors and most certainly this will affect the future relations of the Islamic Republic with them... Even if the authorities of the Islamic Republic have some conflicts with each other, they are unified when facing the enemy and are of the same opinion when it comes to preservation of independence of the country.”[47]

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader (July 6): “Some leaders of Western countries at the level of president, prime minister and foreign minister openly intervened in Iran's internal affairs that had nothing to do with them. Then, they said they don't intervene in Iran's internal affairs.”[48]

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (July 6): “I think that America and Israel are fully aware what kind of result such a wrong judgment [of aggression against Iran] will entail… That kind of erroneous judgment poses a threat to the entire Middle Eastern region and the world… Israel showed its military power sufficiently in the 22-day war. If [an Israeli attack] occurred, then the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond in a very full-scale and very decisive way.”[49]

Hojjat al-Eslam Taeb, Basij Chief (July 6): “They [the West] sought to cause bloodshed in Tehran's unrests and used every propaganda and media method to provoke and agitate the people… In the first decade of the Islamic Revolution the West adopted a policy to divide Iran through war and coup d'etat, but failed. In the next stage, they tried to change their behavior and pursue structural changes but they failed again… The West, then, sought to contain Iran and started the program by containing the country internationally. By raising Iran's case at the UN Security Council they aimed to isolate Iran… The West failed with this policy [of attacking Iran after military action against Afghanistan and Iraq] too and adopted a regional strategy and changed the idea of a war [waged] by America to a war by Israel. The Zionist regime attacked Lebanon's Hezbollah and Hamas but received opposite results and Hamas and Hezbollah achieved victory… Obama introduced a new tactic and said that America's actions against Iran were wrong. By using what they called "smart power" (ghodrat-e hushmand), they confronted Iran with every means they had available to them and put Iran's internal containment on their agenda. To carry out the internal containment, they opted for a strategy to create domestic division and pursued a policy to pit people against each other and the elite against each other… America wants to use an internal lever against the revolution and in its most recent policy it looked for a leader to contain the revolution from within. They [the Americans] had the best opportunity, i.e. the election, to achieve their objective and drafted a win-win scenario for it… They wanted to have their ideal person in power for their future talks, and based their win-win scenario on the fact that the current government would be gone and a more pro-American person would be in charge. Then, they thought to themselves that if they failed to set up the government (they favored), they would pursue their objectives through a nation-based movement and a colorful revolution. They prepared their media based on the same scenario… The BBC TV, the American TV, the American radio, internet... follow the same line, aimed at toppling the government and setting the people against each other… They [Western countries] aimed to cause bloodshed among the people and provoke and agitate them through media propaganda… Some political elements inside the country played into the hands of America and tried to create a social wave to pit the people against each other, get some people killed by attacking a Basij base, and then hold protests seeking revenge for the blood of those killed… The arrest of members of [Kurdish opposition] PJAK, monarchist and [leftist] Tudeh groups in the recent protests showed that a movement, organized by agents inside and outside the country and led by inside agents, was under way.”[50]

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (July 3): “Western countries have now realized their stance on the Iranian elections was undoubtedly out of line… After three weeks of resentment, [European countries] have a long way to go before rebuilding trust with Iran.”[51]

Hassan Firouzabadi, Iranian Chief of Staff (July 1): “[Because of the European Union’s] interference [in] the post-election riots, they have lost their qualification to hold nuclear talks with Iran. Before apologizing for their huge mistake, [they have] no right to talk about nuclear negotiations.”[52]

Brigadier General Hassan, Chief of the Armed Forces Command Council and Member of the Supreme National Security Council (July 1): “The European Union is a defeated political and economic alliance, which has faced a lack of electoral confidence during the European referenda. The latest example of which is the 15 percent election participation in Italy. So low was the voter participation that the lection was annulled...Therefore, the European Union members of the 5+1 Group have lost their importance...Meddling of this group and its enmity against the Iranian nation has become obvious. And the Union’s foreign policy chief, who has never had a consistent stance and lacked the support of member countries, has today emerged as a supporter of rioters in Iran. He has totally lost any qualification to negotiate with Iran...We believe that they do not have the right to speak of negotiations until they apologize for their blatant mistakes of the past and demonstrate by their actions that they are repentant.”[53]

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, Member of the Assembly of Experts (July 1): “40 millions [sic] votes were assets that strengthened the regime. But their actions caused riots in the country. And Obama, Sarkozy and Merkel, who were begging for negotiation with Iran prior to the elections, are now talking a great deal of nonsense...”[54]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (June 30): “We want to cooperate with the world using an approach of change and we must use all our capabilities to break the monopoly of global power… [The election was] the victory of the Iranian nation… Despite the enemies' both hidden and obvious plots to overthrow the system with velvet revolutions, they were defeated and did not achieve their objective.”[55]

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, Iranian Intelligence Minister (June 30): “A great Islamic country like the Islamic Republic of Iran has during the past thirty years struggled against the colonialists, the world imperialism, and the Great Satan. Therefore, we need to be vigilant and careful so that, God forbidding - under certain circumstances and especially after the elections - no problem is made for the country and for the people. Therefore, we used all our means to discover the enemy’s plans, and if there should there be any plots, to deal with it and neutralize it. And with the grace of God, this also happened...It is clear that such groups are supported by the Zionists, who provide them with their needs, including bomb-making technology. Thanks God, they were identified. The first case of such plans was at the shrine of Chizar and they wanted to continue such explosions until the very day of the elections and detonate them at crowded places. But thanks God this was neutralized...They also had other plans. In an American-sponsored operation, and with American intelligence,  they wanted to carry out some plans in the eastern parts of the country, but they were also foiled – thanks to God and thanks cooperation of other government agencies and local authorities...There were some groups that did not support Karrubi or Mousavi and wanted to plant a bomb at a place where Mr. Mousavi was to speak...There were some instances where mostly the Zionists and the West - which have always pursued such objectives and are still doing so - had planned assassinations. But whenever they started, they were identified by the Intelligence Ministry with the cooperation of other authorities. With the help of the divine wisdom, their attempts were neutralized. And God willing, this will also be the case in the future...Behind such affairs there are at the very least two Western countries. The United States at least has provided support and logistics for the movement in the eastern parts [ed. of the country] to which I already referred. There is also the Monarchist Association, which - according to clear evidence - is supported by the Zionists...I called Mr. Mousavi to a private conversation and asked him what he would do if a new round of election also showed that he could not get enough vote...The British Embassy trained their employees to direct the riots...”[56]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, letter to Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi (June 29): “Amid vast propaganda by foreign media and many other evidence about the heartfelt event [referring to the death of Neda Aqa-Soltan], it seems definite that opponents of the Iranian nation interfere [in Iran's internal affairs] for their political misuse.”[57]

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader (June 28): “If the nation and political elite are united in heart and mind, the incitement of international traitors and oppressive politicians will be ineffective… They [Western countries] express their opinions about Iran in a manner that one would think all their other problems have been resolved and only the Iranian problem remains. However, what they do not understand is that wherever they politically set foot in becomes tainted in the eyes of the Iranian nation. Their support will only have a negative effect as the Iranian nation knows during the eight-year sacred defense [the Iraq-Iran war] when their homes were bombarded and destroyed by missiles and chemical weapons were used against them, these governments showed no concern and [instead] aided the enemy of the Iranian nation… [Their] concern and show of humanitarianism is not befitting of these governments and when they voice support for the Iranian nation and certain figures, their intentions are clear and the people are well aware of them.”[58]

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, Iranian Intelligence Minister (June 28): “Americans and Zionists sought to destabilize Iran ... they were upset with a stabilized and secure Iran ... even months before the election they started to talk about the possibility of vote-rigging in the election and they continued the course following the vote.”[59]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 27): “The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns the interfering and unacceptable remarks by the President of the European Parliament. Such hasty remarks are made under circumstances that the Guardian Council has not yet completed the process of probing into election complaints… The election was held in a highly competitive and free atmosphere and in accordance with law. The world expects foreign ministers of the eight industrialized nations to focus on their predetermined agenda and raise serious problems that their countries and the international community are faced with… If the president and other members of the European Parliament pay a visit to Iran within a framework of mutual respect and interests, it can be regarded as a positive step toward the expansion of parliamentary ties between Iran and Europe. Otherwise, it will not be fruitful at all.”[60]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 27): "If Hans-Gert Pottering [President of the European Parliament] is sincere in his comments on sense of responsibility by the European parliament on violation of human rights, essential freedoms, respect for dignity of humans, he should have supported innocent and defenseless people in Gaza while they were trapped by the savage and inhuman attacks of the Zionist occupiers.”[61]

Esmail Kowsari, Member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (June 26): “Such actions [providing asylum for some rioters in Tehran] clarify the nature of European countries, the Zionist regime and America, which claimed to be willing to negotiate with Iran.”[62]

Iranian Embassy in Berlin (June 25): “Alireza Sheikh-Attar [the Iranian ambassador to Berlin] called on the European countries to avoid double standards and said they should take a realistic approach toward Iran's issues… [They are ignorant] about the massacre of people in Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq and the torture of prisoners in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo… They also did not condemn the killing of thousands of Iranians along with the country's president, prime minister, judiciary chief and lawmakers by the MKO [Mujahedin Khalq Organization] in 1981 and 1982.”[63]

Ali Asgha Khaji, Iran’s envoy to Brussels (June 25): “[The EU and its parliament should not] interfere in the internal affairs of Iran and… [should] avoid taking hasty positions and measures which could have inappropriate consequences.”[64]

Sadegh Mahsouli, Iranian Interior Minister (June 24): “Britain, America and the Zionist regime were behind the recent unrest in Tehran.”[65]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 22): “With the main goal of sowing ethnic discord, Western powers have interfered in the election process by hyperbolizing the protests staged against the Iranian poll results. France has even gone as far as calling for the annulment of the election outcome. What right do they have to make such inappropriate and irresponsible remarks?”[66]

Manouchehr Mottaki, Iranian Foreign Minister (June 21): “[France, Germany, and Britain should] think twice before questioning the democratic process of the recent election.”[67]

Ali Larijani, Majlis Speaker (June 20): “I tell Obama and the leaders of France, Britain, and Germany that you are [too reprehensible to comment on Iran’s affairs].”[68]

Ali Asgha Khaji, Iran’s European Union Envoy (June 18): “[Western countries should not] support for these trouble-makers and anarchists under the cover of supporting democracy and the voice of the Iranian people.”[69]

Assembly of Experts, statement signed by 50 members (June 18): “Unfortunately the enemy created the unrest and riots through its hired elements… But, undoubtedly by following of the sagacious directions of the Leader [of the Islamic Revolution], the wise and revolutionary presence of people as well as flexibility and obedience to the law and the electoral system will block the wishes of the enemy.”[70]

Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 17): “Certain countries made off-the-cuff and hasty remarks and supported illegal rallies. They violated the principles of democracy and international regulations and targeted the Islamic Republic of Iran… Tehran believes that such countries can create no uncertainty in the recent democratic election.”[71]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 17): “European envoys were summoned to the foreign ministry and they were asked how could European officials make statements in violation of international norms while the legal mechanism [regarding election results] is still underway and Iran's Guardians Council [GC] is still studying presidential candidates' complaints… There are legal mechanisms in every country for studying complaints… What we are saying is that the international norms must be respected.”[72]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 17): “It is amusing how they [political echelons in Europe and the US] prohibit unauthorized mass gatherings in their own countries, but support them elsewhere.”[73]

ON BRITAIN SPECIFICALLY:

Hojjat al-Eslam Ahmad Salek, member of the Combatant Clerical Association (August 10): “The reformists and those who fueled the fire of Britain in the recent events should awaken and find out how they were manipulated by the foreigners... I hope that the confessions is a shock which awakens those whose hearts beat for the foreigners... Britain's Den of Espionage has always mobilized its employees to instigate unrest...”[74]

Jabbar Kouchaki, Iranian Member of Parliament (July 11): “Iran's decisive confrontation with the British government will give a lesson to other interfering states as well… The Islamic Republic of Iran should downgrade its relations with this group of countries [those who followed Britain in fomenting unrest] to the lowest level possible… [Election is an internal issue] but the British government stepped onto the scene with the aim of damaging the Islamic Republic and supported the rioters.”[75]

Esma'il Ahmadi-Moqaddam, Commander of the Law Enforcement Force (July 9): “Britain has certainly been involved in the recent riots and crises in the country and the role played by its embassy and the BBC's crisis operation room is too evident to be denied… Before our statements [in response to statements by the British government’s spokesman], they [the British] were speaking from an offensive position, and afterwards they adopted a defensive stance - which was a positive development.”[76]

Mohammad Karim Abedi, Member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (July 9): “No one has any doubt whatsoever about the need to confront Britain, and in fact the important question is about the kind of approach and confrontation which needs to be adopted against that government. This is a question which will be discussed in the near future at the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee and the Foreign Affairs Ministry… The interferences of the British government in the internal affairs of Iran are not confined merely to the period after the victory of the Islamic Revolution. However, it is clear that these interferences have certainly reached their peak after the Iranian Revolution. It is therefore essential that the Iranian diplomatic organs will not let these interferences go unanswered, and they must confront the British government firmly.”[77]

Javad Abtahi, Iranian Member of Parliament (July 8): “If we study history, and documents published by the British government we see that this state has intervened in creation of geographic boundaries of Iran, conflicts between ethnic groups, coming to power of the Pahlavi government and created obstacles in the way of the Islamic revolution thirty years ago...undiplomatic behavior of the British government served as a green light to the media of this country to easily meddle in internal affairs [of Iran] and even to hire some mercenaries paid for with British Pound to make trouble for the regime...Unfortunately the British companies are benefitting from great economic projects including the grand Assalouyeh project, despite this country trying to challenge the Islamic Republic regime...Dealing decisively with the British government clarifies the price of meddling in internal affairs of Iran to other countries including Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands...”[78]

Mohammad Reza Karshenas, Iran's Temporary Charge d'Affaires (July 7): “The European Union must not support Britain, which is using the EU as a scapegaat for its illegal and meddlesome measures… The arrest of Iranian nationals [working for the British embassy] is a small and completely internal issue, which will be dealt with by Iranian courts. Unfortunately, the issue has been exaggerated and changed to suit the media hype… [As opposed to the UK] Iranians view Spain in a positive light.”[79]

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (July 7): “Great Britain did not have a positive record with the people of Iran, either before or after the victory of the Islamic revolution… [If] Britain has rational policies in the context of international conventions and in line with a policy of non-intervention in the Islamic Republic of Iran's internal affairs, our policies toward that country will be similar to those we have with other members of the European Union. If Britain's relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran are based on the principle of mutual respect between the two states, I imagine this will bring about a better situation in the country's relationship with Iran.”[80]

Hojjatoleslam Qorban'ali Dorri-Najafabadi, Iranian State Prosecutor-General (July 6): “[One of the most important principles in the international sphere is respect for] agreements and conventions, and a suitable conduct and implementation of penalties in proportion to criminal offences committed. For example when the British embassy lays out the table to fan and fuel the riots and sends out its services chief to gather information, that country's diplomats are expelled as personae non gratae.”[81]

Esmail Ahmadi-Moqaddam, Iranian Chief of Police (July 5): “The BBC and the British Embassy, spearheaded efforts aimed at provoking unrest and incited people to commit civil disobedience and go on strike.”[82]

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, Iranian Intelligence Minister (June 28): “The British Embassy played a crucial role in the recent (post-election) unrest both through its local staff and via media. We have photos and videos of certain local employees of the British Embassy, who collected news about the protests. The Embassy sent its local staff to rallies and inculcated ideas into the protestors and the society.”[83]

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, Iranian Intelligence Minister (June 28): “This [British] embassy sent individuals disguised as locals among the rioters and imposed its views on them and on the society. They also gathered intelligence by using some of the rioters. Some of those individuals who clearly took part in the riots are identified and video and pictures of them have been taken...some of them are freed and some are detained.”[84] 

Iranian Interior Ministry (June 23): “Iran's Interior Ministry condemns Britain's interference but has granted no permission for the gathering outside the British embassy on Tuesday.”[85]

Kazem Jalali, Spokesman for the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (June 22): “While the Islamic Republic of Iran favors amicable relations with all countries, it will not allow other states to meddle in its internal affairs.”[86]

Manouchehr Mottaki, Iranian Foreign Minister (June 20): “Great Britain has plotted against the presidential election for more than two years… We witnessed an influx of people [from Britain] before the election. Elements linked to the British secret service were flying in droves.”[87]

ON FRANCE SPECIFICALLY:

Iranian Embassy in Paris (June 25): “Iran's ambassador to Paris [Seyed Mehdi Mir-Abutalebi] has advised French officials to dedicate their time and efforts to managing their country's economic and political problems instead of interfering in matters that do not concern them… By recounting the ruthless crackdown on public protests against the outcome of the 2007 French presidential elections… he [Mir-Abutalebi] stressed that neither France nor any other country is in a position to judge Iran's elections… [He has urged Paris not to follow in the footsteps of] certain interfering and notorious states and by doing this earn a bad reputation in Iran and the Middle East.”[88]

Mehdi Miraboutalebi, Iranian Ambassador to France (June 17): “The organization of elections is part of the sovereignty and jurisdiction of any country… Any form of irresponsible statements or interference by French authorities is an insult to the voting rights of the Iranian people and is strongly condemned.”[89]

ON WESTERN MEDIA:

Abdulreza Mohebbat, Deputy Prosecutor General of Tehran's Public and Revolutionary Courts (August 1): “It should be noted that foreign media, including BBC Persian, VOA, Al-Arabia, Radio Farda and Radio Zamaneh, have played a salient role in training [rioters] and provoking illegal gatherings and unrests.”[90]

Ali-Reza Malekian, Deputy Culture Minister (June 25): “The ongoing developments are reflected by [Iranian] news outlets and news agencies but the difference between their news coverage and that of the foreign media is that the local media take the national interests into consideration but the foreign media don't care about our national interests… Foreign media aim at provoking the chaos in Iran by turning a blind eye to the media ethics and by publishing fake news.”[91]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 22): “[The election turnout is a] brilliant gem which is shining on the peak of dignity of the Iranian nation… We will not allow western media to turn this gem into a worthless stone… No one encouraged the American people to stage a riot [because they disagreed with the re-election of George W. Bush in 2004].”[92]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 22): “Isn't it a cyber war of the media with an independent government? They [the foreign media] ask people to use the DOS [denial of service] system to hack our Web sites.”[93]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 22): “They [foreign media outlets] have resorted into hacking Iranian news sites as a means to widen the gap between the government and the people.”[94]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 21): “[The BBC and Voice of America are acting as government] command posts engineering the ongoing post-election ri-ots. Any sort of contact with the said channels through e-mail or telephone runs against Iranian national sovereignty and is considered as an act of enmity towards the Iranian nation."[95]

Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance (June 21): “If various British radio and television networks continue to interfere in our country's domestic affairs by broadcasting fake and incorrect reports of Iran or ignoring international journalism ethics, there will be more stern action taken.”[96]

Gholam Ali Haddad-Adel, Iranian Member of Parliament (June 18): “Now that 85 percent of the people participated in the elections and cast their votes of confident to the Islamic system, Persian BBC network gave views about Iranian elections… The network is the voice of Baha’ism. They are foreigners and they became sympathetic of Iranian people!”[97]

Mohammadreza Habibi, Senior Prosecutor in the central province of Isfahan (June 18): “We warn the few elements controlled by foreigners who try to disrupt domestic security by inciting individuals to destroy and to commit arson that the Islamic penal code for such individuals waging war against God is execution.”[98]

Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 17): “The presence of hundreds of foreign media [personnel] during the last election and their observation of the existing realities alongside the successful experience in the past 30 years in organizing elections is a symbol of utter transparency in the election process… But some countries, in an uncalculated, hasty and rude reaction towards the illegal gatherings, have supported them contrary to democratic principles and regulations and have become the mouthpiece of the rioters’ movement.”[99]

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) (June 17): “Legal action [against deviant news sites backed by Canadian, US and British interests] will be very strong and call on them to remove such materials [that are deemed to create tension].”[100]

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) (June 17): “In this context, the Center for Investigation of Organized Crime has, through precise analysis of the cyberspace of the country, found numerous cases of deviant news sites which disturb the public mind, propagate unrest and street revolts and, through lies and allegations and by organizing revolt, is continuing its illegal deeds in destruction of public order and security. This organized center is supported financially and technically by Canadian and American and media financed by American and English intelligence services (Radio Zamaneh, Radio Farda, BBC Persian and the like) and attacks the unity of the Iranian nation.”[101]

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) (June 17): “We warn those who propagate riots and spread rumours that our legal action against them will cost them dearly, especially since some of the youth of this land were killed by the thugs' action, so we urge them to delete such material from their sites… It shows the animosity of the Western media towards the Iranian people.”[102]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 17): “The presence of hundreds of foreign media [personnel] during Friday's historic elections verifies the sheer transparency of the process.”[103]

Hoseyn Sobhaninia, Deputy Head of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee (June 16): “Without a doubt, foreign media, and especially the BBC's Persian service and radio, are the main orchestrators of disorders in the country, guiding rioting elements that support neither the candidates nor the Islamic revolution.”[104]

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran (June 14): “They [Western media and press] have been behaving like this for thirty years now. What should they do if they quit behaving like this? On what documents are they making their claims. They only say the results were contrary to their expectations. Well, they should go and correct their own expectations… Some western media like their governments say some thing , keep repeating it and then end up in believing it… The answer our nation provided to them is quite clear: 40-million-strong voter-turnout with over 25 million having voted in my favor. This means 40 million Iranians are against the interference of western media in their domestic affairs and this nation will repeat this epic at any time of its history.”[105]

ON THE UNITED NATIONS:

Mohammad Khazaei, Iranian Ambassador to the UN (June 26): “The stance [taken by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon] is interference in the Islamic Republic of Iran's domestic affairs… The UN Secretary-General is seriously expected to maintain his independence and position as the UN Chief and avoid taking stances considered to be interference in internal affairs of the UN members.”[106]

Hassan Qashqavi, Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry (June 23): “Such stances are in apparent contradiction to the duties of the UN Secretary General and international law and are indeed a clear interference in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran… [Ban Ki-moon has] tarnished his credibility by ignorantly following in the footsteps of some domineering powers that have a long history of unwarranted interference in the domestic affairs of other countries.”[107]