Washington’s smiles are tactical: Larijani
Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani told a “passive defense” gathering on Wednesday that stances taken by the U.S. towards other countries in the form of “positive behavior” are merely “tactical smiles.”

Washington might have changed its language but there is no observable change in its behavior, the speaker said, adding the U.S. has not taken any effective measure in dealing with the issues facing the Middle East yet.

“We are facing a system which wants to establish relation with other countries while retaining hegemonic attitude.”

Larijani also said the United States has been trying to trick Tehran through a nuclear fuel deal brokered by the International Atomic Energy Agency chief, AFP reported.

According to the IAEA-drafted deal, Iran would exchange some of its low-enriched uranium for 20 percent enriched uranium for the Tehran reactor, which produces radioisotopes for medical treatment.

“If we analyze the role of the United States in the Iranian nuclear issue, it turns out that there was a trick in this proposal. They felt that they can politically cheat Iran,” AFP quoted Larijani as saying.

Basij should not be politicized

Pointing to the foundation of Basij by the late Imam Khomeini, Larijani said Basij is a deterrent force in the face of the hegemonic powers.

Basij is an organization of voluntary forces founded by Imam Khomeini in 1979 aimed at mobilizing ordinary people to ward off domestic and foreign threats to the revolution.

The speaker went on to say that Basij was the result of Imam’s wise decision and now it is a reliable force for foiling plots. However, he insisted that Basij should not take political orientation.

He also highlighted the key role of the Supreme Leader in identifying threats, proposing creative solutions, and promoting national solidarity.

The senior lawmaker said Basij can play a major role in “passive defense”. The main goal of passive defense should be discouraging enemies from conceiving the idea of any insane move.

Just as the Iran-Iraq war in which the mainstay of Iran’s resistance against the west and the east was voluntary forces, so now we should draw on Basij potential for effective implementation of passive defense, he explained

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