Rouhani: Relations with the U.S. Could Normalize if Washington Apologizes

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated that the nuclear agreement between Tehran and global powers could improve Iran-U.S. relations, provided that the United States apologizes for its past behavior. In an interview with the Italian newspaper 'Corriere della Sera' published on Thursday, November 21, ahead of his trip to Rome, Hassan Rouhani mentioned that after decades of hostile relations, the U.S. and Iran could reopen their embassies in each other's capitals, but emphasized that Washington must apologize. According to Reuters, the Iranian President did not provide further details on this matter. He clarified, 'One day these embassies will be reopened, but the important thing is the nature of behavior, and this depends on the Americans.' Rouhani stated, 'If they (the Americans) review their policies, correct their 37 years of past mistakes, and apologize to the Iranian people, the situation will change and good things can happen.' Iran and the U.S. have not had formal relations since the U.S. embassy was seized in Tehran on November 4, 1979, by students known as 'followers of the Imam.' The Swiss embassy in Tehran exchanges their diplomatic messages. Relations have become more hostile over the past decade, with the U.S. repeatedly accusing Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of its nuclear program, a claim Tehran has consistently denied. The parties, along with four other countries including Russia, France, the UK, and Germany, finally reached an agreement known as the 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' (JCPOA) in Vienna on July 14 of this year, after two years of negotiations, under which Tehran agreed to halt many of its sensitive nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting or suspension of international sanctions against it. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, who had previously allowed Rouhani's government officials to negotiate with U.S. representatives to lift sanctions, has repeatedly warned against U.S. 'influence' in Iran after the Vienna agreement and stated that negotiations with this country on other issues are prohibited. In his interview with Corriere della Sera, Rouhani called on Washington to fulfill its commitments under the nuclear agreement to improve relations between the two countries. Barack Obama, the U.S. President, has ordered that U.S. sanctions against Iran be lifted, but this order will be implemented only when Tehran complies with the terms of the Vienna agreement. The Iranian President stated in his interview, 'The implementation of this agreement can have an impact on the future.' Rouhani added, 'If this agreement is properly implemented, it can provide a basis for less tension with the United States and create conditions for the beginning of a new era. However, if the Americans do not fulfill their commitments, our relations will certainly remain as they were before.' The Iranian President is set to begin a two-day trip to Italy on Saturday, November 23, during which he will meet with the Prime Minister and economic activists of the country, and will also have discussions with Pope Francis at the Vatican. After that, he will travel to France for a two-day visit.