U/S JOSEPH MEETING ON IRAN WITH MINISTER OF STATE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 DOHA 000562

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PREL KNNP IR QA UNSC
SUBJECT: U/S JOSEPH MEETING ON IRAN WITH MINISTER OF STATE
FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

REF: DOHA 558

Classified By: Ambassador Chase Untermeyer for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S) Summary. Undersecretary for Arms Control and
International Security Robert Joseph told Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs Ahmed al-Mahmoud that Iran was
approaching the "point of no return" on its nuclear program,
after which it will be much more difficult and costly to stop
the country from building a weapon. Mahmoud said that "people
on the street" question U.S. policy in the region because of
recent cooperation with India and ending support for the
Palestinian Authority. He said Qatar wants a peaceful,
political solution with Iran that does not jeopardize its
bright economic future. We don't know what to do, he said. He
also expressed the concern that reports of a U.S. dialogue
with Iran in Baghdad could undermine Qatar if it were to take
a tougher line. See reftel for U/S Joseph's meeting with
Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani. End Summary.


2. (U) Undersecretary Robert Joseph, accompanied by Admiral
Robert Moeller, NSC staff assistant Nikhil Ramchand, and
Ambassador Untermeyer met with Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs Ahmed al-Mahmoud April 10 to discuss Iran. Al-Mahmoud
was accompanied by the Assistant Minister for Follow-Up
Affairs, Mohamed al-Rumaihy; the director of the Office of
International Organizations and Treaties, Adel al-Khal; and
the assistant director of the Office of American and European
Affairs. The meeting was followed later that evening by a
meeting with Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, at
the urging of Ambassador Untermeyer (reftel).


3. (S) U/S Joseph said that Iran is indeed pursuing a weapons
development program, despite what Iranian officials are
saying. The evidence is with the IAEA and is also shown by
Iran's centrifuges and large quantities of uranium
hexafluoride. Iran's actions are associated with pursuing a
weapons program. Iran is dangerous for this reason and also
because of its actions in Iraq and its support for terrorism
in the region.


4. (S) The U.S. is working hard to make diplomacy successful,
the Undersecretary said. The next step is a Chapter 7 finding
by the UN Security Council followed by possible sanctions.
But we need to work in other areas as well to show the
Iranians that the U.S. and Gulf states stand together.
Actions could include an interdiction program; Gulf security
meetings; and deployment of defensive radar systems. "We need
to make it clear that if they close the straits, there will
be serious consequences," Joseph said.


5. (S) Mahmoud gave a read-out of the visit the previous day
of Dr. Ali Larjani, Secretary General of Iran's Supreme
National Security Council. Mahmoud said that Larjani
explained the history of Iran's nuclear program going back to
the time of the Shah. Larjani said that enrichment is Iran's
"right" under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but that
Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons. Mahmoud was of the
opinion that based on Larjani's tone, "it seems they're
insisting to enrich." Qatari officials explained their
concerns about leaks or an accident at the Bushehr facility;
Larjani said Iran is taking 'strong measures' to prevent an
accident. Larjani said that Iran is willing to comply with
the IAEA but not endlessly without a limit. Iran is looking
for a politcal, rather than 'legal,' solution to the crisis,
Mahmoud reported.


6. (S) Mahmoud reported that Larjani used the "what about
Israel" argument to question why his country is the target of
international pressure. U/S Joseph replied that Iran had
threatened to "wipe Israel off the map," making it a threat
to international security. Israel is not a signatory to the
NPT, whereas Iran is in non-compliance with this
international agreement.


7. (S) People "on the street" also question U.S. policy
toward Iran, Mahmoud said, implying that the Qatari
government must factor in these considerations. He mentioned
proposed nuclear cooperation with India and U.S. policy
toward the Hamas government in Palestine as two examples with
inherent contradictions. "For every point, there is a
response," U/S Joseph replied.


8. (S) Mahmoud said Qatar wants the crisis to be solved
politically and peacefully. "We don't know what to do: We
want to live in peace and build our future.... Who will
protect us?" He explained that Qatar has to be careful of
Iran, its largest neighbor. At the same time, "We have a
strategic relationship with you," he said.


9. (S) U/S Joseph reiterated that Iran's actions threaten
international peace. We will not allow Iran to reach the
point of no return, he said. The cost will be to high to stop
Iran after that. The U.S. is looking for "peace through
strength." The Iranians must know we are determined, he said.
There is a lot we can do defensively with the Gulf countries
to signal to Iran that we are united. A strong GCC defensive
posture will affect Iran's calculations, he concluded.


10. (S) Mahmoud voiced concern over reports of a U.S.
dialogue with Iranian officials in Baghdad. He implied that
this could undermine Qatar's position or that of other Gulf
states. It would be good for everyone to know the situation,
he said, by means of a U.S. briefing on the dialogue.


11. (U) U/S Joseph has not reviewed this message.
UNTERMEYER