Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Quotes

The Middle East does not follow Las Vegas rules. Whatever happens in the Middle East affects the rest of the world.

So much of our foreign policy is based on other people’s weakness.

If people behaved in the same way nations do they would all be put in straitjackets.

Iran, the Iranian government, has mentioned several times that it wouldn't attack Israel.

Another mess I inherited, and we have imposed new sanctions on the nation of Iran who has totally taken advantage of our previous administration, and they're the world's top sponsor of terrorism, and we're not going to stop until that problem is properly solved, and it's not properly solved now.

Like myself, all Americans have a deep concern for the well-being of Iran. With them I have watched closely your courageous efforts, your steadfastness over the past difficult years, and with them I too have hoped that you might achieve the goals you so earnestly desire. The attainment of an oil settlement along the lines which have been announced should be a significant step in the direction of the realization of your aspirations for your people.

In a new interview, Secretary of State Colin Powell repeated that the U.S. has no plans to attack Syria or Iran. After hearing this Donald Rumsfeld responded, 'Like he'd know.'

Kim Jong-Un is a dangerous leader, without a doubt. And both Republican and Democrat administrations have been completely ineffective in dealing with him. So we must continue to isolate him. We will need China as part of that strategy.

Both Bibi and Obama realize that they are going to have to face the problem of Iran together.

We should force European governments to choose between Paris and Washington.

The United States can tell you all about what's wrong with the British, to say nothing of the Russians.

I remain committed to a balanced policy, which will protect our national interests both on our eastern border - I mean with Russia - and of course with the European Union.

American presence is, you know, the major cause of balance of power and the stability in this region.

Iran is part of the problem, not the solution. And the Russian government is ignoring reality.

What Ottawa and Washington used to think about Turkey or Iran was not very important because we really didn't think much about either, but now what we think about them is extremely important - to ourselves and to many other peoples.

Foreign policy is about choosing from nasty options.

Foreign policy is consumed with momentary crises —– often created by failing states and violent groups. But in the long run, he future is shaped by winners, not noisy losers.

Every government is in some respects a problem for every other government.

The United Nations Security Council is there to protect the interest of the Americans and the British.

Great powers engage.

The U.S and England are not worthy of security council membership. Those who want good relations with the Iranian people should bow and surrender to its right and might.

World politics is not a kindergarten.

Multilateralism may be little more than a polite way of camouflaging what is in practice unilateralism with allies.

I have always favored withdrawing recognition from Russia.

…sanctions applied to a large nation meant war. They bred “incurable hatreds”.