Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Iranian president proposes nuclear talks

Details

  • Description

    Amb. John Bolton weighs in

  • Duration 5:00
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

America's News HQ

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

Meanwhile breaking right now out of -- new developments in response to the US willingness to engage in potential one on one talks with Tehran.

Over its disputed nuclear program.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaking at a rally marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

He says he would be willing to engage the US in one on one talks.

But only if western powers lift sanctions and other pressure off his country.

-- this work joining us every Sunday at this time US ambassador John Bolton -- -- Fox News contributor good morning ambassador.

Good morning Eric -- to -- -- -- good to see -- what Joseph Biden the other week you know said to raise the possibility of one on one talks what's the likelihood.

Of US officials actually sitting down with Mahmoud.

Well I think one on one pretty unlikely given that the Ayatollah Khamenei has pretty much ruled that out although I must tell you from Iran's point of view.

This would be exactly the moment for them to sit down with the Obama administration one on one.

Biden clearly thinks that day he can help cut a deal you've got a new secretary.

Of state who believes in negotiation with Iran almost like it's a theology.

If I were sitting in Tehran I'd say I can get major concessions from the Americans just to get them to the table.

They may be thinking they've got to do it with the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany and get the concessions that way but if I were Iran I would see this now as an ideal time to bring the west to the table do you believe the negotiations.

With Iran.

Now of course not they they they Ryans are not gonna give up their nuclear weapons program voluntarily but what they do want.

Is relief from the economic sanctions and that's the hidden message between what Ahmadinejad and other or Ronnie and leaders are saying they don't want to negotiate.

Under pressure.

-- meaning they want the sanctions lifted and I think the Obama administration is weak enough I think the European Union and its chief negotiator baroness Ashton are -- enough.

That there's a risk that that sound weakening of the sanctions.

Could well take place just as the price to get Iran to the table I think that's a big mistake because I think it.

Pre figures other concessions in the negotiations that will be even more.

Harmful you know this -- -- talking -- both sides of their mouth about what two years ago I sat down with Ahmadinejad.

At that time he had sent a letter to our President Obama and he was upset.

He hadn't gotten a response which is one reason why they wanted to do this interview saying that while he was blaming Obama for not responding to him yet as you mentioned.

Here's -- -- coming made the the supreme leader his his quote.

He says quote.

The US is pointing a gun at Iran and wants us to talk to them the Iranian nation will not be intimidated by these actions.

Direct talks will not solve any problems.

So as you say.

Why pursue direct talks if if there -- to turn us down.

Yeah well there's a split between the Ayatollah Khamenei and Ahmadinejad whose term is going to be expiring here -- later this year.

So the these are at best tactical differences what the Iran ends I think sense is that.

This is an opportune moment to try and do two things one get the sanctions lifted or modified.

Or second cut a deal with the United States and the Europeans that legitimizes.

Their right to continue enriching uranium the Obama administration.

Has -- conceded that I think it's a huge mistake.

But if Iran can get that legitimacy.

Basically overturning six years of Security Council resolutions.

Then they will be well on the way to a EZ glide path to nuclear weapons.

EZ glide path nuclear weapons if they're given this right.

For -- -- right election because.

-- the more uranium enriched or reactor grades the easier it is to take the next relatively.

Baby like steps to get up to weapons grade material and at this point given the Obama administration I don't think anybody.

Seriously believes is going to use military force against Iran's program the spotlights on Israel that's that's the last obstacle.

To what is now the most likely outcome namely that Iran gets nuclear weapons so ambassador finally you predict that Iran get nuclear weapons and and what's your prediction on what the end game is now this will turn out.

Well I think if they went into a rush they could get nuclear weapons in a matter of months but what's -- thing is they're not in a rush they're building a very deep very extensive nuclear weapons program across different geographic areas different ways to get to nuclear weapons enriched uranium.

Reprocess plutonium.

There are no rush because they don't feel threatened and if they can buy some more space economically by some more space politically.

As I say there on a glide path the future is -- in the Middle East at that point.

The future is there says John Bolton.

Quite a chilling prediction ambassador -- -- good to see you thank you so much.

-- -- -- --

Load More