Hassan Rouhani: We Must Implement 'JCPOA 2' Within Iran

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, stated on Wednesday, February 3, that in order to overcome problems and achieve development in Iran, a comprehensive national program must be prioritized. Speaking at the National Space Technology Day ceremony, Rouhani emphasized the necessity of starting 'JCPOA 2' after the implementation of 'JCPOA 1'. He explained that all factions, whether supportive or opposing the government, must work together. Rouhani asserted that there is no disagreement over national goals and development in Iran, and that opinions are converging on solving major issues. He cited employment, economic growth, and resolving water and environmental challenges as examples of key problems that everyone agrees need addressing. Previously, in his first interview with reporters after the implementation of the JCPOA, Rouhani humorously mentioned the idea of implementing a similar model to the JCPOA domestically, especially concerning the widespread disqualifications of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections by the Guardian Council. Iran and six world powers reached a comprehensive agreement in July of this year to resolve ambiguities regarding Tehran's nuclear program, under which many of Iran's nuclear activities would be halted in exchange for lifting international sanctions. Following the implementation of this agreement in January, the U.S., European Union, Japan, and Canada lifted some sanctions against Iran, leading to a significant influx of foreign economic delegations to Tehran. In his remarks on Wednesday, Rouhani also stressed that 'JCPOA does not mean importing everything we want from abroad. It means that the path has been opened for communication with the world, to utilize the technology and knowledge of others.' He highlighted that today is not a day for importing goods but rather a day for creating an environment for work, effort, and endeavor. Rouhani further stated that government agencies must be streamlined and emphasized that military sectors should transfer tasks that can be handed over to the private sector. One criticism raised by economic experts regarding Iran's business environment is the presence of institutional and quasi-military companies, which are seen as obstacles to attracting foreign investments and transferring responsibilities to genuine private sectors. The Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is one such entity that has been awarded many oil, gas, and transportation projects without adhering to tender regulations, particularly during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency.