President: Iran’s Advancement Only Way Ahead
TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday endeavor towards Iran’s advancement is the only feasible way ahead of the country amid the enemy’s pressure.
Under the current circumstances, Iran cannot seek resort to any solution other than to try and improve production, cooperation, and integrity within it, the president said.
"The government does not spare any effort to resolve problems. I believe all efforts should be deployed towards the country’s development and advancement,” Rouhani said. "The overriding principle here is the country’s national interest.”
Rouhani noted that Tehran uses its military, cultural, and economic power in tandem with its political, diplomatic, and negotiating power as it proceeds towards its goals.
He cited Iran’s decision in May to begin suspending some of its commitments under the nuclear deal as a reciprocation for Washington’s illegal actions and also to prompt the deal’s other parties -- the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany -- to guarantee Tehran’s trade interests under the accord.
Rouhani said the Iranian nation's demand was to preserve the country’s esteem and independence.
"We exercise resistance and steadfastness so we can achieve our goals, security, and grandeur. Steadfastness bears value only when it results in satisfaction of our interests,” he stated.
The president further said Iran’s national interests should be safeguarded by power and diplomacy, adding he "wouldn't mind meeting with an individual" if that meeting could lead to Iran's economic development.
"The hand of power and the hand of diplomacy should work together. Those who imagine that one hand is enough to solve problems are mistaken. Both hands should be used. We should use our power and military, security, economic, cultural and political capabilities.”
Referring to Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's meeting with French officials in Biarritz on Sunday, Rouhani said, "Every means must be used in order to protect the country's national interests."
"If I know that the country's problems will be solved and the country will be developed if I meet an individual, I wouldn't mind going to the meeting."
Referring to Zarif's visit to Biarritz on the previous day, Rouhani said: "We should proceed to where there is even a mere 10 to 20 percent chance for success. We should not miss any opportunity."
Taking a clear jab at critics of negotiations with the West, Rouhani went on to say that "some people have blocked their ears and say what are negotiations good for".
"Some keep asking what the result of negotiation with major powers was. After the negotiations we were exporting over 2.8 million barrels of oil, and billions of dollars of our assets came back to the country,” the president said.
"Some individuals did not say a word about foreign investments made in our country, but when foreign investors leave the country, they started criticizing their withdrawal,” Rouhani added.
On Monday, the Persian daily Kayhan criticized Zarif and the meeting in Biarritz, characterizing his visit as "untimely" and calling negotiations with Europe "useless".
"The only outcome of Zarif's visit will be an increase in the enemy's pressure on Iran," the paper wrote.
Kayhan's main commentary suggested that "Iran's posture… should be one of defense and attack rather than compromising while the dead body of the existing (nuclear) agreement is trampled under the feet of United States and Europe."
Under the current circumstances, Iran cannot seek resort to any solution other than to try and improve production, cooperation, and integrity within it, the president said.
"The government does not spare any effort to resolve problems. I believe all efforts should be deployed towards the country’s development and advancement,” Rouhani said. "The overriding principle here is the country’s national interest.”
Rouhani noted that Tehran uses its military, cultural, and economic power in tandem with its political, diplomatic, and negotiating power as it proceeds towards its goals.
He cited Iran’s decision in May to begin suspending some of its commitments under the nuclear deal as a reciprocation for Washington’s illegal actions and also to prompt the deal’s other parties -- the UK, France, China, Russia and Germany -- to guarantee Tehran’s trade interests under the accord.
Rouhani said the Iranian nation's demand was to preserve the country’s esteem and independence.
"We exercise resistance and steadfastness so we can achieve our goals, security, and grandeur. Steadfastness bears value only when it results in satisfaction of our interests,” he stated.
The president further said Iran’s national interests should be safeguarded by power and diplomacy, adding he "wouldn't mind meeting with an individual" if that meeting could lead to Iran's economic development.
"The hand of power and the hand of diplomacy should work together. Those who imagine that one hand is enough to solve problems are mistaken. Both hands should be used. We should use our power and military, security, economic, cultural and political capabilities.”
Referring to Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's meeting with French officials in Biarritz on Sunday, Rouhani said, "Every means must be used in order to protect the country's national interests."
"If I know that the country's problems will be solved and the country will be developed if I meet an individual, I wouldn't mind going to the meeting."
Referring to Zarif's visit to Biarritz on the previous day, Rouhani said: "We should proceed to where there is even a mere 10 to 20 percent chance for success. We should not miss any opportunity."
Taking a clear jab at critics of negotiations with the West, Rouhani went on to say that "some people have blocked their ears and say what are negotiations good for".
"Some keep asking what the result of negotiation with major powers was. After the negotiations we were exporting over 2.8 million barrels of oil, and billions of dollars of our assets came back to the country,” the president said.
"Some individuals did not say a word about foreign investments made in our country, but when foreign investors leave the country, they started criticizing their withdrawal,” Rouhani added.
On Monday, the Persian daily Kayhan criticized Zarif and the meeting in Biarritz, characterizing his visit as "untimely" and calling negotiations with Europe "useless".
"The only outcome of Zarif's visit will be an increase in the enemy's pressure on Iran," the paper wrote.
Kayhan's main commentary suggested that "Iran's posture… should be one of defense and attack rather than compromising while the dead body of the existing (nuclear) agreement is trampled under the feet of United States and Europe."