CIAO DATE: 11/5/2007

Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki on Iraq, the US and Prospects for Peace

Nermeen Shaikh

October 2007

Asia Society

Abstract

Manouchehr Mottaki is the Foreign Minister of Iran. In this interview with Nermeen Shaikh, he argues that the US must propose a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq, while maintaining that an immediate withdrawal might "create problems". Foreign Minister Mottaki rules out the possibility of any kind of military confrontation between Iran and the US, saying the latter cannot afford to undertake another conflict in the region.

Foreign Minister Mottaki has previously served as Iran's ambassador to Turkey and Japan, and as Deputy Foreign Minister. He was appointed Foreign Minister by President Ahmadinejad in 2005.

Foreign Minister Mottaki delivered a speech at the Asia Society on Iran's Foreign Policy on September 28th. This interview was conducted at the UN on October 2nd.

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