TEHRAN -- Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has said that it will be possible to find a solution to the impasse over Iran’s nuclear energy program if the West, and especially the United States, deals with the issue honestly.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has been cooperating honestly with the (International Atomic Energy) Agency since the beginning, and if the West and the United States interact honestly,” it will be possible to find a solution, Larijani said at a meeting with South African Parliament Speaker Max Vuyisile Sisulu in Tehran on Saturday.
Larijani also said that the South African parliament speaker’s trip to Iran can pave the way for the expansion of relations between the two countries in the political, economic, and parliamentary spheres.
The Iranian and South African people both have a history of struggling against the global arrogance and colonialism, he noted, and pointed to Iranians’ struggle to overthrow the shah and South Africans’ struggle to end apartheid.
Larijani also stated that the Iranian parliament fully supports the expansion of relations between Tehran and Pretoria.
At the meeting, the South African parliament speaker called for the expansion of relations between Iran and South Africa.
He went on to say that Iran’s Islamic Revolution inspired the South African people in their struggle against apartheid.
Mr. Sisulu also criticized the U.S. for applying double standards toward Iran’s nuclear energy program while turning a blind eye toward Israel’s nuclear activities, and said South Africa supports Iran’s right to have a peaceful nuclear energy program