Trump’s Victory: Positive and Negative Reactions in Iran

According to a report by IFP, a number of Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhani, Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, and IRGC General Hossein Salami said Trump’s victory will have no influence on Iran’s policy.

“US policies towards Iran never change with the election of a new president,” General Salami said, noting that both Democrats and Republicans consider Iran as a threat and enemy as the US foreign policy is independent of the ruling party.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi called for a revision of US policies towards the Middle East following Trump’s election.

“Iranian people and the Islamic Republic of Iran have had and still have unpleasant and bitter experience of the US politicians’ previous policies and approaches over the past decades,” he noted.

“What matters to Iran and its people and would be a gauge for their judgement, is the next US administration’s performance and executive policies,” he underlined, as reported by Tasnim.

Qassemi said Washington’s practical conduct in the future will be more important than the presidential candidates’ stances and comments in the electoral campaigns.

Spokesman for Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi also said that Iran is ready for any kind of development.

“Iran has long-term plans [for its nuclear industry] … and try to continue the implementation of the nuclear deal,” he added.

There were also negative and positive reactions to Trump and his election as the new US president.

Chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani described Trump as a dangerous figure who does not believe in principles and easily violates the rules and regulations.

“Trump is considered a big threat, and his radical moves in recent years prove it,” he went on to say.

However, Hesamodin Ashna, the cultural advisor to President Rouhani, hailed the election of Trump as an unknown figure, and described it as an opportunity for a new beginning.

In a post on his Facebook account, Ashna referred to Trump’s victory speech, and highlighted the positive and different words and tone he used.

“We hope White House leaders would keep to their promises and show their commitment … instead of focusing on hostilities and differences,” Ashna added.

“In the Arab world and Turkey, Iran was seen as Obama’s favourite, and this was a barrier to JCPOA implementation. However, we can now tell Iran’s regional partners and neighbours that peace is not a gift given by ultra-regional superpowers. We are the ones who should create it.”

Ali Motahari, the outspoken Vice-Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, is one of those who believes Trump’s victory will be to Iran’s benefit.

“Given the stances Trump held during his campaigns, I think his presidency will be more beneficial to Iran than Clinton’s,” Motahari noted.

“Trump is more honest, and his stances on Syria were good. He also does not hold a good view of Saudi Arabia, and is willing to have good ties with Russia,” he noted.

“Even his opposition to the nuclear deal will also be to Iran’s benefit, because they cannot do anything in practice,” the Iranian lawmaker added.