Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Tuesday that an uprising similar to the “Arab Spring” will hit the United States, which should worry about killing Libyans instead of fretting over Syria
He told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, who questioned him about killing protesters, “Remember the same thing may happen in the near future for the American government.“
Ahmadinejad defended the use of force in the brutal suppression of protests two years ago and asked Stephanopoulos, “Don’t you distinguish between those protestors who have something to say and who have some demands, and those who set buildings on fire?” he said. “Is expressing opinions the same as clashing with the police? It isn’t.
“Our viewpoint is quite clear. We say justice, choice and freedom is everyone’s right. Reforms must be reached through understanding. But others should not interfere.”
The Islamic Republic leader chastised the foreign policies of the United States. “Show me one dictatorship in the world that has not been supported by the United States government or some European governments. It almost doesn’t exist….
“Our viewpoint is quite clear. We say justice, choice and freedom is everyone’s right. Reforms must be reached through understanding. But others should not interfere… If it were not for the American interference, or the interference of its friends, I think the problems would be solved more easily.”
Instead of directly answering whether Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces should stop killing demonstrators, Ahmadinejad threw the gauntlet back at the United States. “In a lot of places people are being killed right now. NATO’s bombing in Libya is killing whom? Americans or Libyans?... Any of them who is being killed is Syrian and that’s bad. It’s also bad in Libya” but reiterated that the United States should mind its own business.
He also said he is not afraid of the United States nor of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta‘s warning that it’s just a matter of time before this revolution hits Iran.
“Does he have any plans for any interference in Iran or does he foresee the future? If he has a plan, let him announce it so that we’ll learn it as well,” Ahmadinejad answered.
The Iranian president also charged that tensions with the United States are one-sided. “We didn’t cut off our relations with the US government,” he reasoned. “The US government cut off relations with us unilaterally… [Tension] has been one-sided, meaning the United States government continually acts against us.”
He employed one of his favorite debating ploy – accusing the accuser – to defend himself against charges of “denial, deceit and evasion” by U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu concerning Iran’s nuclear program.
“Do you believe that this Secretary has the right to intervene in Iran’s internal affairs?” Ahmadinejad answered. They [American leaders] believe that they own the world. They interfere in everything. Is Iran really pursuing a nuclear bomb? Why would we seek a nuclear bomb?... What rational person would believe that? … But the government that has stored thousands of bombs, can it say anything against others?
“We do love all Americans.”