Rouhani Criticizes Those Who Ask 'What Has the JCPOA Done for Us?'

Hassan Rouhani, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, once again defended his foreign policy on Tuesday, April 31, stating: "To those who say, 'What has the JCPOA done for us?' it must be said that the JCPOA has registered a political and legal honor for the history of Iran and has simultaneously annulled 6 UN Security Council resolutions and 12 IAEA resolutions against Iran." According to the IRIB news agency, Mr. Rouhani made this statement during his first provincial trip of the year 1395 (2016) in Semnan. Without naming anyone, Hassan Rouhani said: "It is interesting that some want to announce that the Iranian nation and Iranian diplomats have not been victorious." The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasized that the media should consider ethics, stating without naming any media outlet: "The Iranian nation does not approve of media chaos and anarchy, and the unethical attacks of some media are not befitting of the great Iranian nation." In recent days, especially following the remarks of the Central Bank Governor in New York that Iran "has not yet connected to the global economy," opposition media in Iran have launched extensive attacks against the JCPOA and the nuclear agreement. On Tuesday, Rouhani defended his government's policies, emphasizing that "reconstruction and renewal after destruction takes time," and said: "Only 3 months have passed since the implementation of the JCPOA, but some think it has been 30 years." He added: "In these 3 months, see what numerous openings have been created? The chains of sanctions have been broken, good banking relations between Iranian banks and global banks are being opened one after another, and a large number of foreign companies and private sectors are coming to Iran daily, and important contracts are being signed." These remarks by Hassan Rouhani come at a time when, just a week prior, Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, emphasized that "some European governments and companies are negotiating and visiting Iran, but the results of these negotiations have not yet been tangible." Rouhani continued his remarks, noting that oil exports before the implementation of the JCPOA were one million barrels per day and have now increased to over two million barrels. He stated: "Today, Iran has regained its position in the oil sector, and now we must use the opportunity and the space that has arisen in the best possible way instead of exacerbating disputes." Referring to the presidential election in Khordad 92 (2013), he said: "The people, with their choice, wanted to confront Islamophobia and Iranophobia and resolve the pressures resulting from sanctions and regional and international issues one after another." On Tuesday in Semnan, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran further explained the government's interpretation of the "resilient economy" proposed by the leader of the Islamic Republic, stating: "A resilient economy means that we can increase non-oil exports compared to non-oil imports, which last year, thanks to the government's efforts, non-oil exports surpassed non-oil imports." He added that in terms of attracting foreign investment in various sectors and attracting domestic investment, which according to Rouhani is one of the pillars of a resilient economy, "the government has taken good steps so far."