No link between JCPOA, Iran-US ties: Rouhani

President Rouhani has dismissed claims that the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and P5+1in July has had an impact on Iran’s ties with the US.

“The nuclear deal is one thing, and relations with the US another,” President Rouhani said in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, released on Thursday.

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President Rouhani described the problems in Iran-US relations as “long-standing,” saying they started following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and “have persisted” to date.

The president said that even following the signing of JCPOA, the US will not lift all sanctions against Tehran but only those related to the nuclear program.

“Therefore, the relation between Iran and the US is a different issue. But the way we’ll implement the agreement can have an impact in the future,” he pointed out.

He emphasized that if JCPOA is implemented well, it will lay the foundation for “fewer tensions” with the US and create “the conditions for a new era.”

“But if the Americans don’t meet their nuclear deal commitments, then our relations will certainly be the same as in the past,” the president said.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has ruled out any negotiations between Tehran and Washington on matters other than the nuclear issue.

Iran “did not and will not hold talks with the US on issues other than nuclear negotiations,” the Leader said on September 9, adding that the US animosity toward Iran cannot be concealed.

“One [US official] smiles, while another draws up a bill against Iran.”

New phase in Iran-Italy ties

The president also said Tehran and Rome have had “long good relations economically, culturally and politically” and expressed hope that his trip will start a new phase in ties.

“As to international and political issues, the Italian leaders have always taken a moderate stance on us,” President Rouhani said.

He added that Iran regards Italy as a partner and a friend in Europe.

The president’s remarks came ahead of his [now postponed] scheduled visit to Italy and France, which would mark the first visit of an Iranian president to Europe in a decade.

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