Rouhani: No Agreement Will Be Reached If Sanctions Are Not Lifted

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, on Wednesday, April 26, regarding a potential final nuclear agreement, addressed the opposing side in the nuclear negotiations, stating: "The world and the 1+5, the Senate and representatives, the President and the government of the United States must all understand that if sanctions are not lifted, there will be no agreement." According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, Mr. Rouhani, who was speaking during his visit to Gilan, emphasized: "The end of these negotiations and the time for signing the agreement must be the time for announcing the end and lifting of the oppressive sanctions against the great nation of Iran." He added: "You know that all European companies and even American ones, from the East and West, and the governments of the East and West are waiting for the final agreement because this agreement will be beneficial for the world and all nations." Iran and the negotiating countries in the 1+5 group reached an understanding on April 2 that outlines the framework for the final agreement. The parties are expected to reach a comprehensive and final agreement by the end of June (in two and a half months), which will guarantee the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program and verify this matter, while also paving the way for the lifting of sanctions. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, Marzieh Afkham, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, reported on Wednesday, April 26, that "next week negotiations will resume at the level of deputies and experts, and the next round of negotiations is likely to be next Wednesday." Rouhani: What are the hardliners in America after? Addressing the Senate and representatives of the United States (which together form the Congress of that country) by Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday came a day after the U.S. government reached an agreement with its Congress regarding granting more authority to Congress in the final nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic. This plan, which received a positive vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, if finally approved by Congress, will give critics of the nuclear negotiations with Iran in the U.S. Congress more power to impose stricter measures. Hassan Rouhani reacted to this development on Wednesday in Rasht, saying: "What does the Senate of America say? What does the House of Representatives want? What are the hardliners in America after? What do the mercenaries of America in the region say? These have nothing to do with our government and nation." He clarified: "Our counterpart is not the Senate and the House of Representatives of America, but rather a group called 1+5." In this context, Iran's reaction to the approval of the plan for more congressional authority in the nuclear agreement was noted. The Senate committee approved the necessity of reviewing the final nuclear agreement with Iran. Zarif: The publication of the Iranian fact sheet is on the Foreign Ministry's agenda. The German Chancellor called for the 1+5 to remain united for lifting sanctions against Iran.