Interviewers: American journalists
Question: You have kept a number of hostages in Iran against all international conventions. Will you release them? And when?
Answer: Do international agreements stipulate that a spy function as an ambassador or consular in a country or should be work in the capacity of a charge d' affairs? Should it not be the case? Certainly, it is not proper to detain those embassy officials who do not intend to carry out espionage activities, and commit treason and who do not plot for the collapse of the host government. But what our nation has done is the capture of a bunch of spies who, according to the rule, should be interrogated and tried. They should be treated in accordance with our rules. However, what Carter has done is against the international laws and regulations. This is because the criminal «1» should be returned to his own country to be tried; another country does not have the right to keep a criminal and give him asylum. This act contradicts international laws, not continue keeping him. It is Carter that has been acting against the international rules, not us.
Q: Carter has made it clear that he would not return the Shah to Iran. This is when the diplomat-hostages and their relatives are extremely worried. Is there a way to negotiate?
A: Until the time that this criminal is not returned home and until Carter doesn't respect the international laws, we cannot hand the spies over. We will have shown mercy upon these detainees if we release them upon receiving the Shah. Otherwise, their trial should be arranged and they should be treated here according to laws and regulation.
Q: The condition put forward on your part is the return of the Shah as only pre-condition?
A: The return of the Shah is the only condition, and this is based on the clemency we are granting them.
Q: Iran and the United States are in political and economic conflict and Iran would not accept any envoy from the United States to discuss with. What is the reason behind this issue?
A: This economic and political conflict is brought about by Carter. We are neither frightened by his political war against us, nor by his economic sanctions. We are certain that the United States is the loser in the political war against us and his economic sanctions would not in any way harm us. We are not, therefore, ready to negotiate before the Shah is sent back to Iran and prior to Carters compliance with the international rules. We do not see any sign of humanitarianism in Carter, however.
Q: You have been reported as having said that having diplomatic ties with the United States is not in the best interests of Iran. Is it possible for you to decide at any moment to sever all your ties with the United States and send back to the United States all Americans living in Iran together with the detainees?
A: It is possible. However, it should be studied. The kind of relations that the Americans have had with us so far and the manner through which they have managed their embassy in Iran would not be acceptable to us. But if this espionage center is transformed into a true embassy status of this embassy and if the American relations are different from what they had been at the Shah's time and if we see it advisable to keep certain relations with the United States, and finally if the government justifies the nature of these relations, we will continue with our relations.
Q: What I had in mind is this question: if the relations are severed, will the hostages be released immediately or not?
A: We should first see whether these detainees were envoys and embassy officials or did they come here for espionage? Of course, under no circumstances could the spies be released. No laws stipulated on the extradition of spies. But the officials staff will be free to return home if the relations with the United States are cut.
Q: Are you willing to meet with Carter to convince him to carry out your demand? If the answer is positive, are you ready to meet him in a third country such as France in which you spent some time?
A: Our meeting will not affect the issue. If Carter through his meeting want us to weaken in our position and the demand of sending back the criminal, which he should hand it over to us according to international laws; if he wants us to step down from our demand that would be impossible. If he had the criminal sent back to Iran, it would be useless meet. Therefore, I am not willing to meet him.
Q: I had dialogues with many bystanders outside the American Embassy. They assured me that these hostages would not be assassinated whatever happened. Could you make the same statements?
A: Definitely, what they say is correct. They are under the protection of Islam while they are here. They would not get hurt and they would enjoy all the comfort. Based on the laws, despite of handing the criminal over to us we should put them on trial according to law because they have been spies, after which we will show them clemency and send them back, but only if the criminal is returned to us.
Q: Your Reverence, there is a significant point here to observe. If the king is not returned, will these hostages be definitely tried?
A: If it is prolonged, they will definitely be tried.
Q: Are you going to act upon any verdict that the court issues?
A: Yes.