Resolution on Iran: Recent statements of the President of Iran, Mr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on recent statements made by the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stating that Israel must be 'wiped off the map'. Parliament condemned the statements and strongly rejected any calls for the destruction of a State which is part of the international community. It called upon the Iranian President to fully retract his bellicose statement. Furthermore, Parliament expressed its concern about the possible consequences of this kind of statement in a region which is still confronted with violence, terrorist attacks and fundamentalist extremist calls for action. It reaffirmed its unalterable commitment to Israel's right to existence within internationally recognised borders and in security, side by side with an independent and viable Palestinian State. Iran is called upon to recognise the State of Israel and its right to live in peace and security, and to use its influence in the Middle East to persuade movements with which it maintains relations to refrain from the use of violence.

Parliament went on to express its solidarity with the people and the State of Israel and reiterated its determination to seek a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the basis of the Roadmap process led by the Quartet (UN, EU, Russia and United States of America).

It welcomed the statement by the Central Council of Muslims in Germany that every nation has to respect international law and the rights of other States and welcomed the reaction of worldwide public opinion, in particular people of Iranian origin, who have demonstrated their outrage at the Iranian President's statements. It also welcomed the position of several senior Palestinian officials and representatives in condemning President Ahmadinejad's view and in favour of the peaceful coexistence of a Palestinian and an Israeli State.

The statements by President Ahmadinejad cause concern about Iran's role in the region and its future intentions. In this context, Parliament called on Iran to refrain from any support for international terrorist groups, and to play a proactive role in the broader region of the Middle East. 

Finally, Parliament stated that the Council and the Commission must act in order to reach a diplomatic solution to the concerns over Iran's nuclear programme and maintain this position in any further developments of the Comprehensive Dialogue.