Khamenei's Response to Rouhani: We Have Paid Hefty Costs in This Deal

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in response to Hassan Rouhani's letter regarding the outcome of nuclear negotiations and the lifting of sanctions, emphasized that "we have paid hefty costs in this deal," stating that "the remarks of some American politicians in the past two or three days have completely caused suspicion." The Supreme Leader responded to Rouhani's letter on Tuesday, January 29. In his letter, which contains five points addressed to Rouhani, Khamenei thanked him, the Foreign Minister, and the negotiating team, stressing that "care must be taken to ensure that the other side fully fulfills its commitments, as the remarks of some American politicians in the past two or three days have completely caused suspicion." Khamenei did not provide further details about the statements of these politicians. In the second point of the letter, it is stated: "All government officials should be warned that solving the country's economic problems depends on continuous and wise efforts in all sectors towards a resistant economy, and lifting sanctions alone is not enough for opening up the country's economy and the people's livelihood." In another part of his letter, referring to the fact that "heavy costs have been paid for what has been achieved in this deal," Khamenei told Rouhani: "The writings and statements that try to ignore this truth and pretend to be grateful to the Western side do not behave honestly with the public opinion of the nation." In the final point of this letter, Ayatollah Khamenei wrote to the Iranian President that "I once again emphasize that one should not be negligent of the deceit and breach of promise by the arrogant governments, especially the United States, in this matter and other issues." On Monday, January 28, Rouhani had detailed Iran's eleven achievements in various fields regarding nuclear negotiations and the lifting of sanctions in a letter to the Supreme Leader. In part of his letter, the President wrote: "Enrichment, as the most sensitive and important part of our nuclear program, will continue along an evolved path, and through a documented program, Iran will become one of the international producers of nuclear fuel." Rouhani also emphasized that: "The Arak heavy water research reactor will be transformed into a modern and advanced research reactor within the framework of international cooperation and with high international standards." "The release of Iran's blocked assets," "the possibility of selling enriched uranium and produced heavy water," "the cancellation of twelve resolutions and five decisions of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors," and "the cancellation of six Chapter Seven resolutions of the United Nations Security Council against Iran" are among the other issues emphasized in Rouhani's letter to Ali Khamenei. After the Vienna nuclear agreement, the Supreme Leader has repeatedly warned about what he calls America's attempts to "influence" Iran. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also requested the formation of a committee in the Supreme National Security Council to oversee the implementation of the commitments of the other side in a letter to the Iranian President on October 20 of this year to confirm the Vienna nuclear agreement. He emphasized that "throughout the eight-year period," the imposition of any sanctions "at any level and for any reason," including "terrorism and human rights," by the countries negotiating with Iran would be considered a "violation" of the Vienna nuclear agreement, and the government is obliged to halt the implementation of this agreement. Less than a day after the announcement of the start of the implementation of the JCPOA and the lifting of international sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program, the U.S. Treasury Department added 11 individuals and entities to the U.S. sanctions list in connection with Iran's missile program.