By Iran ReviewIranian President Hassan Rouhani says his country will never develop nuclear weapons and has never pursued that path.Rouhani said his administration has full authority to make a deal with the West on Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy program.
The Iranian head of state stressed that Tehran has always respected international regulations in its nuclear energy program.
“Iran wants nothing beyond what is defined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regarding the nuclear rights of countries,” he pointed out.
The Iranian President also said he has full authority to negotiate a deal with the West over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.
Regarding a recent letter sent to him by his American counterpart Barack Obama, the Iranian chief executive said that the tone of the letter was positive and constructive.
After he was sworn into office as Iran’s president, said Rouhani, he received a letter from Obama, in which the US president congratulated him on his election and also touched on certain issues.
Rouhani said that he responded to the letter and elaborated on Iran’s stances on the issues put forward by the American president as well as other subjects.
“This could be tiny steps toward a very important future. I believe that the leaders in all countries should think about their national interests and they should not be swayed by extremist pressure groups. I hope we will witness such an atmosphere in the future,” the Iranian president added.
Iran’s President has not ruled out the possibility of a meeting with US President Barack Obama during his upcoming New York visit to participate in the annual UN General Assembly conference.
“Meeting Barack Obama, the president of the US, is not on the agenda of my trip; of course, depending on the circumstances that come up, everything is possible in the world of politics,” President Rouhani said.
President Rouhani also said he would elaborate on Iran’s foreign policy as well as Tehran’s position on regional and international matters as well as the nuclear issue in the forthcoming UN event.
The world is expected to hear our voice well, said the Iranian president.
Referring to Iran’s latest presidential election, which brought him to office, he added, “My voice is in fact a reverberation of the voice of the Iranian nation.”
The Iranian chief executive further noted that the Iranian people chose “the path of moderation” in the last presidential election, adding that moderation in foreign policy means “constructive interaction with the countries of the world.”
The Iranian President also said that the Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to facilitate talks between the Syrian government and opposition.
“…I announce my government’s readiness to help facilitate dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition,” the Iranian president’s said.
Rouhani further called for collective efforts to pave the way for national dialogue in the countries in the region, saying, “We must join hands to constructively work toward national dialogue, whether in Syria or Bahrain. We must create an atmosphere where peoples of the region can decide their own fates.”
Rouhani also made reference to the US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying “the vicious battles… are over the nature of those countries’ identities and their consequent roles in our region and the world.”
Iran’s President has also criticized the Israeli regime for doing “injustice to people of the Middle East” and sowing instability in the region.
Rouhani described the Israeli regime as “occupier and usurper” and one which does injustice to regional people and has brought instability to the region through its warmongering policies.
He also responded to a tirade by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had described Rouhani as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” shortly after his election as Iran’s 11th president.
“Israel should not allow itself to comment on an administration that has come to power through a democratic and free election,” said the Iranian president, who garnered more than half of the votes cast on June 14 in a national election marked by a turnout of more than 72 percent.
Rouhani, however, noted that Iran does not seek war with anyone in the region, saying that Tehran is after regional peace and stability. – Eurasia Review
