Key to Thaw in Iran-US Relations in Washington’s Hands: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the key to a détente in Iran-US relations is in the hands of Washington and the currently severed relations between the two sides would change only if the US stops exerting pressure on and making threats against Iran.

Speaking in a press conference in Tehran on Tuesday, Rouhani said the current US administration missed the “golden opportunity” of the Iran nuclear deal.

“The possibility of holding talks with Iran over other issues [other than Iran’s nuclear program] would become possible if the US officials took advantage of the nuclear deal’s opportunity,” he was quoted as saying in a Farsi report by the Iranian president’s official website.

Rouhani then underlined that the JCPOA is non-negotiable and non-rewritable, adding the deal was signed by the involved sides and approved by the United Nation Security Council after 30-month marathon talks.

“Therefore, there is no justification for holding new talks with the US, the EU or any other states over the deal.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rouhani said Iran honours its commitment to the world to avoid going after weapons of mass destruction (WMD). “We don’t seek such weapons not only because of our international commitments but also the Fatwa (religious decree) of the leader of the Islamic Revolution.”

He then referred to the conventional weapons and said to defend itself Iran will acquire whatever conventional weapons it deems necessary.

“Our missiles have never posed any threat to any state. They have been developed for self-defence and not as a weapon of mass destruction,” he noted.

Touching on the cyberspace and internet in Iran, Rouhani said his government attaches great significance to these issues.

He said his government is also determined to provide required infrastructures as well as platforms for further development of cyberspace.

Rouhani then talked about US President Donald Trump’s unusual tweets, saying today the US president tweets and sometimes backs off after receiving millions of responses. “This means that today cyberspace plays a key role in developing foreign, domestic and economic policies.”

President Rouhani also said the era of removing satellite TV dishes from the roofs of houses is over.

IFP Editorial Staff

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