democracy ... is not something that occurs overnight. It is not a gift delivered on a golden tray. Democracy is a long process of fighting, challenging accepted ideas, and perpetually striving for freedom. Like a seed that has to be watered every day to become a flower, democracy needs constant attention and care.

People are fundamentally good. But conditions deteriorate them.

North Americans do not understand that you do not throw down human rights like bombs on the Iraqis.

Those who don't understand any language other than the language of force and violence don't respect human dignity. They seek violence because they will be irrelevant without it. We should not go their way.

The history and our experience shows that Democrats and Republicans think the same way in some cases, and their ideas aren't very different when it comes to international relations.

Over 60 percent of the university students in Iran are female. The women in Iran are better educated than men.

I am the voice of the people in Iran whose voices are silent and whose demands cannot be heard by the rest of the world.