When I say that I am opposed to this budget, everyone says, "Well, what do you think the United States should do?" My response is, "Why should the United States do anything?"

We've had 60 years of intellectual development in Iran. How can we have the same system? Even theories of secularism are constantly being revised and changed.

Religion is separate from the institution of the state.

Negotiation talks are the best way to solve anything. We must replace wars and weapons with negotiations and talks.

Let me begin by saying not only you can't have democracy with $75 million. You can't even have it with $750 billion.

There is no possibility of a public demonstration [in Iran] of such defiance, but these defiant acts are certainly going on.

It was universal pressure on the regime to secure my release. International pressure was certainly helpful in my release.