Ayatollah Rafsanjani commemorates Iran-Iraq battle victory
{{date|May 19, 2007}}
{{Iran}}
{{w|Ayatollah}} [[Hashemi Rafsanjani]] commemorated the "the glories of the [[Islam]]ic {{w|Islamic Revolution|Revolution}}, the {{w|Liberation of Khorramshahr|Sacred Defense}} in particular" during {{w|Friday prayers}}.  He used the occasion "especially at a point when [[Iran]]'s defensive powers might be underestimated."  On 24 of May 1982, Iran drove [[Iraq]] out of {{w|Khorramshahr}} near its border with Iraq.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani has been the chairman of the {{w|Expediency Discernment Council|Expediency Council}} which resolves government disputes arising out of legislations and advises {{w|Grand Ayatollah}} [[Ali Khamenei]].

Rafsanjani chided the Western countries for equipping Iraq during the war and said the Iraqi army used "hideous chemical weapons of the most destructive kind and that they targeted Iranian cities, ships and planes, taking advantage of the West's intelligence and ammunition."

Next, Rafsanjani indicated that Iran was open to compromise and negotiation on the impasse of Iran's [[nuclear]] activities.  Nevertheless, he stated the Iran would not brook pre-conditions.  He stated, "They set a precondition for negotiations, which is humiliating to us."  He, moreover, said,{{CQuote|If the West is honest in its claim, doors for negotiation in the field of nuclear issue will be open.}}

Rafsanjani has also accused the West of wanting to bring about discord among [[Shi'a|Shi'ite]] and [[Sunni]] Muslims.  A few days ago, he called King [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdallah bin Abdul-Aziz]] of [[Saudi Arabia]] to exchange views regarding this issue.  King Abdullah responded that Iran has strengthened bond among Islamic nations and praised the Islamic Republic.  On a similar note, in a meeting with the parliament speaker of [[Morocco]], Rafsanjani said, "Resolving problems requires convergence and assistance from other Islamic countries."

{{haveyoursay}}

== Sister links ==

{{sister|w|Hashemi Rafsanjani}}

== Sources ==

*{{source
|url    = http://www.tehrantimes.com/Description.asp?Da=5/19/2007&Cat=2&Num=015
|title  = Iran will not brook preconditions for nuclear talks: Rafsanjani 
|author = 
|pub    = Tehran Times
|date   = May 19, 2007
}}
*{{source
|url    = http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=10221&sectionid=351020101
|title  = Sacred Defense must be remembered 
|author = 
|pub    = Press TV
|date   = May 18, 2007
}}
*{{source
|url                = http://www.redbolivia.com/noticias/News%20in%20English/52168.html
|title              = Rafsanjani says Iran's past glories should not be ignored 
|author             = {{w|Islamic Republic News Agency}}
|pub                = Red Bolivia
|pubtarget          = no
|date               = May 18, 2007
|brokenURL          = true
|archiveurl         = https://web.archive.org/web/20070520145844/http://www.redbolivia.com/noticias/News%20in%20English/52168.html
|arcivedescription  = Archived from the original on May 20, 2007 via the Internet Archive
}}
*{{source
|url    = http://www.redbolivia.com/noticias/News%20in%20English/51924.html
|title  = Rafsanjani stresses unity among Muslim states 
|author = {{w|Islamic Republic News Agency}}
|pub    = Red Bolivia
|date   = May 16, 2007
}}
*{{source
|url    = http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-236/0705154162183557.htm
|title  = Tehran-Riyadh ties to foil enemies' plots: Rafsanjani 
|author = 
|pub    = Islamic Republic News Agency
|date   = May 15, 2007
}}

== External links ==

*{{source
|url       = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxeH_8ROoz0
|title     = Imam Khamenei during Sacred Defence
|pub       = YouTube
|date      = 
|brokenURL = true
|date      = 
}}

{{publish}}
{{archive}}

[[Category:Iran]]
[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Hashemi Rafsanjani]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Chemical weapons]]
[[Category:Sunni Islam]]
[[Category:Shia Islam]]
[[Category:Abdullah of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Iraq]]


</noinclude>
Islamic Revolution|Revolution, the Sacred Defense in particular" during Khorramshahr near its border with Iraq.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani has been the chairman of the Expediency Council which resolves government disputes arising out of legislations and advises  Ali Khamenei.

Rafsanjani chided the Western countries for equipping Iraq during the war and said the Iraqi army used "hideous chemical weapons of the most destructive kind and that they targeted Iranian cities, ships and planes, taking advantage of the West's intelligence and ammunition."

Next, Rafsanjani indicated that Iran was open to compromise and negotiation on the impasse of Iran's nuclear activities.  Nevertheless, he stated the Iran would not brook pre-conditions.  He stated, "They set a precondition for negotiations, which is humiliating to us."  He, moreover, said,

Rafsanjani has also accused the West of wanting to bring about discord among Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims.  A few days ago, he called King Abdallah bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia to exchange views regarding this issue.  King Abdullah responded that Iran has strengthened bond among Islamic nations and praised the Islamic Republic.  On a similar note, in a meeting with the parliament speaker of Morocco, Rafsanjani said, "Resolving problems requires convergence and assistance from other Islamic countries."
Iran Islam Middle East Asia Hashemi Rafsanjani Politics and conflicts Chemical weapons Sunni Islam Shia Islam Abdullah of Saudi Arabia Iraq