Iranian moderate cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani says it is vital that “extremists” allow Iran to establish relations with the world.

The Mehr News Agency reports that Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani said in Kermanshah: “If extremists allow us to establish relations with the world, many of the country’s problems would be resolved; otherwise we cannot achieve any breakthroughs.”

The Chairman of the Expediency Council said progress in nuclear negotiations also depends on “extremists” refraining from interfering.

Hashemi Rafsanjani also said the lack of progress in Egypt, Iraq, Syria and Libya was due to interference from “extremists.”

The Iranian foreign ministry’s recent attempts to re-establish relations with the U.S. and Western powers have received mixed reactions in Iran. Some have supported the possibility of better relations with the West, but some hardliners have expressed reservations about the Iranian president’s telephone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama.

Radio Zamaneh