Iranian opposition makes campaign issue of Latin American ties

Iranian voters go to the polls on June 12 to vote in presidential elections, and so far the election campaign hasn’t focused much on international issues, other than in the most general terms: Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, who is running for reelection, says he has made Iran stronger and a force to reckon with, while his opponents say he’s unnecessarily worsened relations with the West.

But one of Iran’s most intriguing foreign policy moves of the last several years, its strengthening of ties in Latin America, recently became an issue, Iran’s Press TV reports. The leading “reform” contender, Mir-Hossein Moussavi, criticized Ahmedinejad on that policy, and a government rep responded:

“Instead of investing in Iran’s neighboring countries, the government has fixed eyes and poured money into Latin American states. The President has obviously failed to get his priorities right,” said Moussavi in his first televised speech.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, who chairs the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, retorted to the criticism on Sunday.

“Thanks to the government’s foreign policy and investment in Latin America, Iran has built a secure footing in Washington’s strategic backyard,” said Boroujerdi.

He added that the efforts, which were in line with the country’s best interests, have angered Washington and its European allies.

via Ahmadinejad foreign policy ‘rattled’ Iran foes.