Rouhani Emphasizes: We Will Not Be the Initiators of Violating the JCPOA

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated during his inauguration ceremony for his second presidential term that Iran will not be the initiator of violating the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), but will not remain silent in the face of the continued breach of commitments by the United States. Rouhani also mentioned that any violation of commitments in this international treaty will face a unified response from the Iranian people and government. The inauguration ceremony took place on Saturday, August 5, in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, attended by representatives from other countries and Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief. A significant portion of Rouhani's speech focused on his government's achievements over the past four years and emphasized the continuation of his programs for the next four years. He stated that his government aims to be moderate, neither succumbing to every provocation nor reacting violently to every excitement. He added that they are reformists in both domestic and foreign policy, preferring peace over war and reform over stagnation. However, during Rouhani's presidency, there have been verbal confrontations between him and the Supreme Leader of Iran and his appointees in various institutions, which Rouhani denied the existence of a dual power structure in the country. Recently, after reports emerged about 'coordinating' the cabinet list with the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei's office acknowledged that the Supreme Leader has sensitivities regarding the selection of ministers for foreign affairs, defense, and intelligence, as well as for education, culture, and Islamic guidance. Simultaneously, Mustafa Tajzadeh, a reformist political activist, pointed out the pressures Rouhani has faced in the past two months leading up to the introduction of the new cabinet, stating that Rouhani proposed nine candidates for the Minister of Science, none of whom were approved. However, Rouhani, who had previously emphasized the formation of the cabinet based on the votes and choices of the majority of the people, reiterated during his inauguration that they are always ready to defend their nation, but believe that defense is not only possible with weapons, and that the greatest weapon is the people's vote. He reminded that a nation with over 41 million votes in the ballot boxes will never find itself in a deadlock, and this vote supports not only the government and parliament but also the military and the army, referring to the participation of over 40 million eligible voters in the presidential election on May 29. Officials of the Islamic Republic, including the Supreme Leader, consider the participation of this number of eligible voters at the polls as a sign of the majority's support for the Islamic Republic, although many groups that participated in the elections, including religious minorities, do not have a share in the cabinet. While 175 members of parliament have called for the appointment of a female minister in the new cabinet, the latest news indicates that no women will be introduced as ministers. In another part of his speech, Rouhani reiterated that Iran will not be the initiator of violating the JCPOA, but will not remain silent in the face of the continued breach of commitments by the United States. He added, 'We have nothing to do with the newcomers in world politics, but we inform the old-timers that the experience of the JCPOA can be turned into a model in international relations and law, and this exception can be made into a rule.' Rouhani, without directly referring to the U.S. government, stated that 'those who intend to tear up the JCPOA should know that by doing so, they will tear up the scroll of their political life, and the world will not forget their breach of commitment. Those who consider themselves among the losers of the JCPOA can join the ranks of benefiting from this win-win scenario and end their mistakes.' He also stated that 'respect will be met with respect, and sanctions and humiliation will be responded to with appropriate action, resilience, and reciprocity,' and 'any violation of commitments in this international treaty will face a unified response from the Iranian people and government.' Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has been a serious opponent of the nuclear agreement with Iran and six world powers since the election campaign, promising to tear up what he considers 'the worst deal possible' if he comes to power. This issue also prompted reactions from the Supreme Leader and other officials of the Islamic Republic at that time. However, since Trump took office, although he and his administration continue to harshly criticize the nuclear agreement, the U.S. government has confirmed Iran's compliance with the agreement twice. However, both times, the U.S. government simultaneously imposed sanctions regarding other Iranian behaviors described as 'destabilizing.' The U.S. believes that some of Iran's actions undermine regional and international peace and stability, violating the spirit of the nuclear agreement, as under this agreement, Iran is supposed to participate in creating peace and stability in the region and globally. Therefore, officials in the Trump administration, including Trump himself, have repeatedly warned about Iran's 'destabilizing behaviors,' expressing that such behaviors undermine the spirit of the nuclear agreement. The evidence that U.S. officials cite regarding Iran's destabilizing and destructive behaviors includes 'Iran's role in escalating conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Lebanon,' and 'support for attacks on Israel,' and the U.S. recognizes Iran as 'the world's largest supporter of terrorism.' In contrast, Iran expects that based on the nuclear agreement, global powers, including the U.S., will facilitate international companies' investment in Iran, and therefore considers the imposition of new sanctions against Iran as contradictory to the text and spirit of the JCPOA.