to report «iusnews»; Speaking at the conference “Us and the West in the Thoughts of the Supreme Leader”, Larijani stated that understanding Iran’s relationship with the West requires examining Western approaches, which often pursue peace through power. He criticized historical Western actions, saying that the outcome of Western rationalism has been global wars, and current developments reflect what he described as a period of instability.
Larijani divided Iran-West relations into five historical periods: During ancient times, Iran was a dominant power, maintaining independence from the West and influencing Greek philosophical thought. In the Safavid era, Iran’s reliance on science, religion, and intellectual thought enabled it to balance power against Western nations. However, he noted that during the Qajar period, Iran became heavily dependent on other powers due to the rulers’ desire to retain authority. This dependency worsened under the Pahlavi dynasty, when Iran lost independence, and Western powers like the US and Britain controlled the country’s political, economic, and cultural structures. He cited the 1953 coup (28 Mordad) as an example of Western dominance.
Larijani praised the leaders of the Islamic Revolution, including Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, for restoring Iran’s dignity through science and religion. He emphasized that post-revolution, Iran prioritized national interests over unconditional Western cooperation while still engaging economically with Western partners.
The Iranian official clarified that Iranian leadership does not oppose economic cooperation with the West, but rejects Western interference in missile programs or nuclear capabilities. He further stressed that Iran opposes cultural aggression, echoing the Leader’s stance on resisting attempts at cultural domination.
