Iran's Larijani on Egypt Unrest
Egypt's uprising is being closely watched in Iran. Ali Larijani, the Iranian parliament speaker, blames the US and Israel for bringing instability to the region. He explained his reasons for doing so to Al Jazeera's Nick Clark

Iranian Parliament Speaker Slams Obama
THE JERUSALEM POST: Tehran, Iran – Iran's parliament speaker said his country has doubts that US President Barack Obama's Middle East policy will be different from the Bush administration, state television reported Sunday.

Speaker Ali Larijani said Obama's stance on the crisis in Gaza and the United States' support for Israel have "created many doubts about the 'change' theory."

He also cautioned that Obama's actions on Iran's disputed nuclear program would be "another test for the change word" used by the new president during his campaign.

The more critical comments came days after Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki struck a moderate tone after Obama's inauguration. "We are ready for new approaches by the United States," he had said Wednesday.

But Larijani's more skeptical words come after Obama made his first comments on the recent Gaza conflict since taking office on Tuesday. Obama struck themes familiar with Bush over the Gaza crisis, including supporting Israel's right to defend itself, criticizing rocket attacks by Hamas, lamenting civilian deaths in Gaza and favoring an international effort to develop a durable cease-fire.

One Iranian hardline newspaper, Jomhuri Eslami, criticized Obama in its editorial on Sunday.

"Obama took a negative and disappointing stance on Palestine," the editorial said in response to Obama's comments on Gaza. >>> Associated Press | Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>

Iran Slams Obama's Tough Talk on Nuclear Arms
GLOBE AND MAIL: TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has criticized U.S. president-elect Barack Obama for the first time Saturday, saying the world needs more than cosmetic changes in American foreign policy.

The criticism from Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani followed Mr. Obama's comment Friday that it is “unacceptable” for Iran to develop nuclear weapons and there should be a concerted international effort to prevent it.

Mr. Larijani told state television that Mr. Obama can understand that strategic changes in (U.S.) policy are required, “not just cosmetic changes.”

He called Mr. Obama's comment “a step in the wrong direction.”

Iran has denied allegations that its nuclear program is aimed at producing weapons. Iranians initially welcomed Mr. Obama's victory as a triumph over the unpopular policies of President George W. Bush.

Hard-line Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad congratulated Mr. Obama on his win — the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Mr. Ahmadinejad's message said “nations of the world” expect changes from Mr. Obama — mostly that he will change U.S. foreign policy. He claimed U.S. policy was “based on warmongering, occupation, bullying, deception and humiliation, as well as discrimination and unfair relations” and has led to “hatred of all nations and majority of governments toward the U.S. leaders.”

During the campaign, Mr. Obama said he was willing to talk directly to Iran about its nuclear program, something the Bush administration has refused to do. He was harshly criticized for that by his rival, U.S. Senator John McCain, and others.

Asked about Iran at his first news conference since his election on Tuesday, Mr. Obama reiterated earlier statements saying he will move deliberately on how to respond to Iran and would not do it in a knee-jerk fashion.

“Iran's development of a nuclear weapon, I believe, is unacceptable. And we have to mount an international effort to prevent that from happening,” Mr. Obama told reporters. >>> Associated Press | November 8, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback – Canada) >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback – Canada) >>>

Iran ‘Would Prefer’ Barack Obama Presidency
Photo of Ali Larijani courtesy of The Telegraph
THE TELEGRAPH: Iran would prefer Barack Obama to be elected as the next US president, Ali Larijani, the speaker of Iran's parliament, has said.

"We are leaning more in favour of Barack Obama because he is more flexible and rational [than rival John McCain], even though we know American policy will not change that much," he said.

Mr Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, has spoken about holding talks with the Iranian leadership "without precondition", a stance which has been ridiculed by his rival John McCain. >>> | October 23, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>

Iran: The Rise and Rise of Ali Larijani
Photo of Ali Larijani courtesy of Welt Online
BBC: A year before President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stands for re-election in Iran, he is facing a major new challenge. His former chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, has been voted speaker of parliament.

In effect, Mr Larijani becomes the leader of the opposition, in a strong position to stand against Mr Ahmadinejad in the elections. It also comes at a time of growing discontent over Mr Ahmadinejad's eccentric handling of the Iranian economy.

Mr Larijani is a fellow conservative. But he is seen as more of a pragmatist than the president.

Mr Larijani is the man who helped end the crisis over the captured British sailors in 2007.

Last autumn, he lost his job as chief nuclear negotiator because of what was seen as this more pragmatic approach.

He was replaced by the hardline deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Jalili.

Contrasting language

Ironic then, that Mr Larijani marked his election as speaker with an uncompromising speech, bitterly critical of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA).

He accused the agency of "deception". And he said the Iranian parliament might put limits on Tehran's co-operation with the nuclear agency if it was not given a fairer hearing.

His comments drew chants of "God is great" and "Death to America" from members of parliament. Analysis: The Rise of Ali Larijani >>> By Jon Leyne | May 28, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback - UK)
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Hardback - UK)

Iran May Harden Its Nuclear Stance
MAIL ON SUNDAY: The West could face a harder line with Iran over its atomic ambitions following the resignation of the country's chief nuclear negotiator.

Saturday's announcement of Ali Larijani stepping down exposed a rift over tactics with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who accepted the resignation and has taken an uncompromising approach in the nuclear stand-off.

Analysts say Saeed Jalili, the senior foreign ministry official replacing Larijani, is close to the president and his appointment showed that those determined to defy the West were gaining a greater influence in decision-making. Fears Iran may harden its nuclear stance after chief negotiator resigns (more)

BBC:
Iran’s hard-line nuclear reshuffle

Mark Alexander

Ali Larijani Resigns
BBC: Iran's chief negotiator with the West over Tehran's nuclear programme, Ali Larijani, has resigned.

A government spokesman said Mr Larijani had repeatedly offered his resignation and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had finally accepted it.

Mr Larijani had differences with the president over how to proceed with the negotiations, correspondents say. Iran’s nuclear negotiator resigns (more)

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
Factors that may have led to Larijani's resignation

Mark Alexander