Details of Obama's letter to Iran released

Details of Obama's letter to Iran released
http://www.mehrnews.com/en/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=1513259
TEHRAN, Jan. 18 (MNA) -- A number of Iranian officials have released the
details of the letter that U.S. President Barack Obama recently sent to
Tehran.

The New York Times, citing U.S. government officials, wrote on January 12
that the Obama administration had sent a message to Supreme Leader of the
Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei warning that closing the
Strait of Hormuz is a "red line" that would provoke a response by the United
States.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ramin Mehmanparast said on January 15
that U.S. officials had sent a message on the Strait of Hormuz to the
Islamic Republic through three officials, noting, "Susan Rice, the U.S.
ambassador to the United Nations, delivered a letter to Mohammad Khazaii,
the Islamic Republic of Iran's ambassador (to the UN). The Swiss ambassador
to Tehran (Livia Leu Agosti) also conveyed the message, and Jalal Talabani,
the Iraqi president, conveyed the message to officials of the Islamic
Republic of Iran as well."

Obama has called for negotiations

MP Ali Motahhari said on Wednesday, "In the letter, it has been stated that
'closing the Strait of Hormuz is our red line' and they have requested
direct negotiations."

"In the letter, Obama has announced readiness for negotiation and the
resolution of mutual disagreements," he added.

He went on to say that Obama uttered threats in the first part of the letter
and talked about friendship and negotiation in the second part.

Obama says U.S. will not take hostile action against Iran

MP Hojjatoleslam Hossein Ebrahimi said on Wednesday, "Obama's letter has
several parts. Part of it is about this, (namely) that using international
waterways is the right of all countries and all should benefit from them.
And in this letter, he has described it as the United States' red line."

"In the letter, Obama has mentioned cooperation and negotiation based on the
interests of the two countries," Ebrahimi, who is the deputy chairman of the
Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told the Nasimonline
news website.

"He has stated in the letter that they will not take any hostile action
against the Islamic Republic of Iran," he added.

Ebrahimi also said, "This is not the first time that Obama has sent a
message and letter to the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has repeatedly spoken
in a soft tone about the Islamic Republic of Iran, but, in practice, he has
not acted accordingly."

"Obama's letter indicates that the United States has become afraid of the
Islamic Republic of Iran's might and has realized the point that an arrogant
spirit is of no use, and therefore, he has softened his tone when speaking
about the Islamic Republic of Iran," he stated.

He added, "The important issue is that without the Islamic Republic of
Iran's permission, no country can benefit from the Persian Gulf."

Iran responsible for maintaining security of Persian Gulf

Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaii also commented on the letter on
Wednesday, saying, "Mr. Obama has written a cunning letter and intended to
claim that the U.S. is responsible for maintaining the security of the
Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran itself is responsible for
maintaining the security of this region."

"We maintain the security of the region with the help of regional
countries," he said, adding, "There is no need for the presence of
extra-regional forces to maintain the security of this region, and we
believe that the presence of the United States and Britain mostly creates
insecurity."

If they "feel compassion" for regional countries and want to help them
enhance security in the region, "I advise them to leave the region," Rezaii
stated.

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