Iran's Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, expressed conciliatory words during a press conference on Thursday at the U.N., giving a sign that a diplomatic solution to Iran's Nuclear Arms program seems more possible. Speaking through an interpreter, Mottaki told reporters that "constructive statements and approaches" and an earlier proposal by Iran had "paved the way for creating a new sort of atmosphere," as reported by Reuters.
While the symbolic comments by the Iranian Foreign Minister gives the appearance that the diplomatic process is inching closer to a solution, there hasn't been official response to the incentives package presented to the Iranian Government by the European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solona, several weeks earlier. "I very much hope this sentiment they are expressing ... will become true but for the moment I have not received any comment formalized," Solana told reporters before a conference at the European Parliament according to Reuters.
Underlying Diplomacy Through Public Statements
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's strong public speeches have been repeatedly denounced by the White House, particularly his harsh statements against Israel and the Holocaust.
However recent statements by a close advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamanei, indicate there are differing opinions in Tehran towards Amadinejad and his strong language, and Amadinejad's support by the Supreme Leader is questionable.
Ali Akbar Velayati, the Foreign Advisor to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in a recent interview, chastised the tone of strong language towards the west, stating, ""provocative" speeches could damage the country's nuclear cause—a veiled reference to Ahmadinejad.
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