The words that we sometimes hear from around the world, accusing us[Iran] of violence, are not the kind of words that smart and wise individuals would accept or reiterate. To push a nation to its knees, the best method is to frustrate them by non-stop propaganda; continuously accuse them, and place them in the defensive position; this is a well-known method. We are accused of violence. By whom?
A couple of years ago, an official from a European country was visiting Iran. As you know, in high-level international meetings, many of the remarks exchanged are general comments and sometimes mere compliments or ceremonial words and expressions of ideas.
He mentioned ‘peace’, saying they advocate for peace. Contrary to usual protocols of such meetings, I acted like a seminary student and said ‘you Europeans launch wars, and then you talk of peace! The biggest wars of history were initiated by you Europeans, taking the lives of so many people. We were somewhere far off on the other side of the world, yet, repercussions of your wars inflicted us with a lot of damage. Now you talk of peace!?’
I continued, ‘we do not have an issue called war. None of the Muslim countries seeks wars. You talk of war and then, you chant slogans in favour of peace!?
Statements during a meeting with a number of intellectuals of arts and culture, July 23, 2001