Speaking today in Algeria, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani urged Western nations to respect his nation’s “democratic life,” adding that Iran’s democracy was closely linked to its religious culture. Larijani added that “Iran is not Iraq or Afghanistan.”
Larijani has taken a very guarded position since his nation’s disputed election. He pushed through a resolution the day after the vote congratulating President Ahmadinejad on his victory, but then boycotted Ahmadinejad’s victory celebration.
He has however repeatedly criticized the US and Britain for their responses to the post-election unrest, and has in particular urged the US to avoid interference in other countries’ affairs. The US has repeatedly condemned the Iranian government for its response to the protests.
Even though Larijani is quite equivocal regarding Ahmadinejad’s victory, when it comes to the U.S. and the British, he closes ranks with the Iranian establishment. This is hardly surprising, but there will be people in the West who will think that he is an anti-establishment maverick, merely because he is not a supporter of Ahmadinejad.