Guarding Sovereignty, Iran's Inalienable Right: Religious Leader

Islamabad, Oct 29, IRNA – Chief of Shia Ulema Council on Sunday said that Iran being an independent state has the right to protect its sovereignty and integrity in talks with world powers. Talking to IRNA, Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi said that the US is not sincere in starting dialogue with Iran and they are making such statements just to get sympathies of their people. 'It is a political tactic,' he added. The religious leader went on to say that Islamic Republic of Iran has been following the path of peace, but the US on the other hand tries to mislead the world by making false statements. Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi said that right now US-Iran one-on-one dialogue is not possible. 'You need solid ground for such dialogue and right now there is no base available for the talks,' he went on to say. He noted that Iran has never accepted western pressure over its peaceful nuclear program. The religious leader added that Iran has become a role model for the Muslim Ummah. Chief of Shia Ulema Council was of the opinion that Iran has never accepted the western interference in its internal matters. 'You cannot dictate a country like Iran,' he opined. Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi criticized the US policy of double standards adding that US is responsible for unrest in the world. He went on to say that US had vetoed resolutions against the illegitimate state of Israel in UN Security Council more than 35 times. 'US wants its supremacy on the entire world, they want to rule the whole world,' said the Shia leader. Asked about the US drone strikes in Pakistani tribal areas, he said that US would not halt these strikes. He, however, questioned the policy of Pakistani government over the strikes. 'The government should come up with a clear position on the drone attacks,' he said. He asked the government of Pakistan to implement the resolutions of the Parliament asking the US to immediately stop these strikes. Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi termed the US-led drone strikes as the sheer violation of the sovereignty of Pakistan./end