Kuwait Times

Published Date: November 16, 2009

KUWAIT: The Iranian ambassador to Kuwait, Ali Jannati, recently said that his country should not be held accountable for the disappearance of sailors from neighboring countries, indicating that the disappearance of Kuwaiti citizen Husain Al-Fadhala does not mean that he is being held on Iranian soil. In an interview with local daily Al-Qabas, the ambassador said that Iran is entitled to perform military maneuvers, asserting that these pose no threat to other countries in the region, while indicating that r
ecent hostile statements issued by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were made in response to American threats.

Ambassador Jannati said that Iran is wholly willing to discuss the continental shelf issue with Kuwait, although he described his country's current relationship with neighboring Saudi Arabia as "below par," pointing out that the problems over Iranian pilgrims performing Hajj have affected these relations, although he emphasized that the two nations are seeking ways to improve this situation.

The ambassador applauded the recent Saudi-Syrian rapprochement, indicating, however, that this does not affect his country's strategic relations with Syria that have been solid for three decades. Speaking about the causes of the disagreement between Iran and France that took place following the recent Vienna talks over Iran's nuclear dossier, Jannati said that Iran does not depend on France in regards to uranium enrichment. He added that his country purchased 10 percent of the shares in a French nuclear co
mpany 40 years ago, but has still to receive the necessary fuel. He also downplayed the international threats regarding his country's nuclear program.

Ambassador Jannati wholly rejected claims that Iran has provided support for the 'Houthi' rebels in Yemen, insisting that these accusations had been fabricated as his country's officials does not have any contact with these rebels. At the same time, he did not deny the probability that the rebels had been educated at Iranian 'Hawzas' (seminaries for training Shiite clergymen), reported Al-Qabas.
On the subject of Iran's internal issues, Ambassador Jannati rejected suggestions that the recent tensions in the country had been caused by a split between factions of the Iranian ruling regime, emphasizing that Iran is ruled by its laws and constitution, accusing the West of adopting double standards in regard to the issue of human rights.