Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Quotes

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

We probably could more successfully resolve the North Korean nuclear threat through game-theoretic reasoning. We could successfully resolve what American leaders seem to perceive as an Iranian nuclear threat through game-theoretic reasoning.

We do not want war with Iran.

Sanctions alone could not stop Iran's nuclear program. But they did help bring Iran to the negotiating table.

Whether we report Iran to the council or not, I believe the only way forward is through diplomacy.

Every time North Korea commits an additional provocation, the U.N. Security Council passes another resolution. But when it comes to dialogue, currently there is nothing set. I hope to have frank and open discussions with President Trump on this issue.

No deal means a greater chance of more war in the Middle East.

We have treated our most serious adversaries, such as Iran and North Korea, in the most juvenile manner - by giving them the silent treatment. In so doing, we have weakened, not strengthened, our bargaining position and our leadership.

It is absolutely unacceptable to talk to Russia - or anyone for that matter - in the language of ultimatums and coercive measures.

You can't have a discussion about Israel and the region without including Iran and their nuclear ambitions.

Every diplomatic breakthrough is preceded by a crisis, but not every crisis leads to a breakthrough.

We believe US threats of an approaching World War III and their use of Iran's nuclear issue as an excuse is another form of American insanity.

There are two things that are very expensive in international relations: promises when they succeed and threats when they fail

If the United States credibly threatens to treat Pakistan like it does Iran, Pakistan’s leaders would find it best to cooperate.

Fundamentally, we have to recognize that Iran is not a partner.

America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars.

Obviously, having served in wars myself, I'm eager to do everything possible to avoid them, but our military capability vis-a-vis a country like Iran is a major source of leverage in any negotiation that we should never, ever give up.

Not every threat to America's national interests can be addressed with military power.

While it's important to be open-minded, we don't have to be naive. Although Iran claims they are developing nuclear capability only for peaceful purposes, it's most difficult to believe them when taking a step back to assess the big picture of Iran's threats and actions.

President Trump has always said that he does not want war, that he seeks peace with Iran, peace in the Middle East.

The United States is committed to the complete and permanent denuclearization of North Korea. So important. China can fix this problem easily and quickly. And I am calling on China and your great president to hopefully work on it very hard. I know one thing about your president: If he works on it hard, it will happen. There's no doubt about it. They know.

It would be easier to be tough on Russian than make a deal. I don't know if we'll make a deal.

Here's the truth: the Soviet Union had thousands of nuclear weapons, and Iran doesn't have a single one. But when the world was on the brink of nuclear holocaust, Kennedy talked to Khrushchev and he got those missiles out of Cuba. Why shouldn't we have the same courage and the confidence to talk to our enemies? That's what strong countries do, that's what strong presidents do, that's what I'll do when I'm president of the United States of America.

Many Europeans are concerned that stronger sanctions are a slippery slope toward war unless the U.S. is at the table.

The Middle East is the tinder box of the world, and to be able to remove a nuclear threat of any kind out of Iran, that would have been a big deal, very positive step forward.