Rouhani: Ayatollah Khomeini Chose the Path of Peace When Necessary

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated that Ayatollah Khomeini issued the 'Eight-Point Command' during a time of 'security conditions' and 'chose the path of peace when necessary.' On February 8, during a ceremony named 'The Covenant of the Government with the Ideals of the Imam' in Tehran, ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution, the President remarked that the founder of the Islamic Republic 'stood against the enemy and imperialism at various times and taught us to resist imperialism; he had the courage to choose the path of peace when necessary and continue the path of development and stability for the country.' Rouhani's reference to peace in necessary conditions comes as Iran's eleventh government is engaged in nuclear negotiations with the so-called 5+1 countries to reach a comprehensive and long-term agreement. This agreement is hoped to lift international sanctions by Tehran, while negotiating parties and Western countries hope to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Tehran has consistently denied any intention to develop nuclear weapons in its nuclear program. Nevertheless, during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency, Iran faced extensive sanctions from the UN Security Council, the US, and its Western allies. The former President of Iran described resolutions against Iran as 'pieces of paper.' Previously, at the end of January, the Iranian Foreign Minister stated, 'The [nuclear] negotiations have become complicated, and we have entered into details. If the other side is ready, we are prepared to reach a conclusion in February, coinciding with the anniversary of the Revolution.' He emphasized on February 8 that it is 'very difficult' to imagine that the current extended negotiation period could be extended again. According to the government news agency, the President also mentioned that the former leader of the Islamic Republic 'issued the eight-point command in the most difficult security conditions of the country and clarified and defined citizens' rights and respect for people's rights for all.' He referred to a letter that Ayatollah Khomeini wrote in December 1982 to the heads of the three branches in Iran, which mentioned the observance of individuals' privacy. In this letter, the late leader of the Islamic Republic stated, 'No one has the right to detain or summon anyone without a judge's order based on religious criteria, even if the detention is brief.' In another section, he added, 'No one has the right to enter someone's house, shop, or workplace without the owner's permission or to apprehend someone, or to pursue and surveil them in the name of discovering a crime or committing a sin.' At the ceremony on February 8, Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Ruhollah Khomeini, was also present and expressed hope that 'with the experiences we have from friends in the government,' the community's problems would be solved.