Iran's future leader calls for constructive interaction
Source: Agencies |
June 18, 2013, Tuesday
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PRESIDENT-ELECT Hassan Rohani said yesterday he hoped the world would grasp a new opportunity for "constructive interaction" with Iran and pledged to be more transparent about the Islamic Republic's nuclear program in order to see sanctions lifted.
But he said Tehran was not ready to suspend its enrichment of uranium, which the West fears is aimed at producing a nuclear weapions capability, something Iran denies. "That period has ended," he said.
Rohani, a moderate conservative cleric, scored an emphatic and surprise election win over conservative rivals last Friday and quickly moved to assure Iranians and the world that he will keep his pledges of better relations with other countries.
He said the new government, after his inauguration in August, would "revive ethics and constructive interaction with the world through moderation."
"I hope that all countries use this opportunity," Rohani told his first news conference after his election win.
Rohani, Iran's nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005, said Tehran would be more transparent about its activities in the future.
"Our nuclear programs are completely transparent. But we are ready to show greater transparency and make clear for the whole world that the steps of the Islamic Republic of Iran are completely within international frameworks," he said.
In his outreach to Washington, Rowhani had a dual message. He urged for no additional tensions and said both countries should "look to the future."
But he repeated past statements from Iran's leadership that one-on-one talks are only possible if the US vows to "never interfere in Iranian affairs."
Rowhani sidestepped the issue of Iran's close alliance with Syrian President Bashar Assad, saying only that the efforts to end the civil war rest with the "Syrian people."
"We are opposed to foreign intervention," he said. "We hope peace and tranquility will return to Syria through the cooperation with countries of the region and world."
The 64-year-old Rowhani described his election as opening a "new era" and said he would "follow the path of moderation and justice, not extremism."
"We have to enhance mutual trust between Iran and other countries," he said. "We have to build trust."
He also said dealing with the economy was among his priorities, in a clear reference to how Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear efforts have helped spike inflation to more than 30 percent.
Rowhani described the economic pressures by the US and others as "oppressive."
"The Iranian nation has done nothing to deserve sanctions. The work it has done has been within international frameworks. If sanctions have any benefits, they will only benefit Israel. They have no benefits for others," he said.
He promised to encourage "step by step" measures to reassure the West over Iran's nuclear ambitions.
But he said Tehran was not ready to suspend its enrichment of uranium, which the West fears is aimed at producing a nuclear weapions capability, something Iran denies. "That period has ended," he said.
Rohani, a moderate conservative cleric, scored an emphatic and surprise election win over conservative rivals last Friday and quickly moved to assure Iranians and the world that he will keep his pledges of better relations with other countries.
He said the new government, after his inauguration in August, would "revive ethics and constructive interaction with the world through moderation."
"I hope that all countries use this opportunity," Rohani told his first news conference after his election win.
Rohani, Iran's nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005, said Tehran would be more transparent about its activities in the future.
"Our nuclear programs are completely transparent. But we are ready to show greater transparency and make clear for the whole world that the steps of the Islamic Republic of Iran are completely within international frameworks," he said.
In his outreach to Washington, Rowhani had a dual message. He urged for no additional tensions and said both countries should "look to the future."
But he repeated past statements from Iran's leadership that one-on-one talks are only possible if the US vows to "never interfere in Iranian affairs."
Rowhani sidestepped the issue of Iran's close alliance with Syrian President Bashar Assad, saying only that the efforts to end the civil war rest with the "Syrian people."
"We are opposed to foreign intervention," he said. "We hope peace and tranquility will return to Syria through the cooperation with countries of the region and world."
The 64-year-old Rowhani described his election as opening a "new era" and said he would "follow the path of moderation and justice, not extremism."
"We have to enhance mutual trust between Iran and other countries," he said. "We have to build trust."
He also said dealing with the economy was among his priorities, in a clear reference to how Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear efforts have helped spike inflation to more than 30 percent.
Rowhani described the economic pressures by the US and others as "oppressive."
"The Iranian nation has done nothing to deserve sanctions. The work it has done has been within international frameworks. If sanctions have any benefits, they will only benefit Israel. They have no benefits for others," he said.
He promised to encourage "step by step" measures to reassure the West over Iran's nuclear ambitions.
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