Brian Hook: We hope the key to the Iranian embassy will be returned to the true representatives of the Iranians
The US State Department posted a video on its Twitter account from the former Iranian embassy in Washington, expressing hope for the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, but at the same time emphasizing that this is not possible unless the Iranian government adopts policies different from those of the past four decades.
The video is accompanied by a speech by Brian Hook, the US State Department's special representative for Iran, who begins his remarks by stating the United States' commitment to preserving the Iranian embassy building in Washington and its belongings, including exquisite Iranian carpets, until the day "its key is returned to the true representatives of the Iranian people."
Mr. Hook then speaks of the need to reopen the embassies of the two countries, adding that, however, it is "up to the Iranian government to chart a better path for its people. This regime should behave less like a revolutionary ideal and more like a normal country."
The United States insists that the Iranian government must change its behavior. In a recent interview with Radio Farda, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that Washington wants "Iran to behave like a normal country."
In a State Department video, Brian Hook explained what this “normal behavior” means, including “ending the policy of intimidation of the United States and its partners in the Middle East” and “paying attention to the interests and wishes of the Iranian people.”
According to him, the Islamic Republic's policies are characterized by "economic mismanagement, environmental destruction, and violent adventures abroad," and it must now either change these policies or "witness the collapse of its economy."
Mr. Hook considers the Iranian government's ideology to be based on "hatred" and says that "the Iranian people must finally regain their freedom and choose their own rulers, not have a corrupt group choose for them."
The Iranian government has just entered its fifth decade, prompting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to issue a statement outlining the government’s future course. He said the Islamic Republic is “ready to correct its mistakes, but it is not subject to revision” and “will not deviate from its values.”
This is despite the fact that the US government believes that with the current sanctions, the Islamic Republic has no choice but to change its behavior.
Source: Radio Farda
