Rouhani: We Have Seen That Negotiation Can Be Successful in Practice

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, referring to the nuclear negotiations between Iran and six world powers that led to a comprehensive agreement, stated that we have seen in practice that negotiation can be successful, but the conditions for its success must be provided by a nation, a leader, and all stakeholders. In his speech broadcast live on state radio and television on the night of August 2, he said that the presidential election of 2013, which led to his victory, was 'a referendum for continuing the movement.' The Iranian president mentioned that 'over the past two years,' the people have brought resources to the scene. The eleventh government of Iran took power more than two years ago in an election with the slogan 'Moderation and Hope.' Following that, nuclear negotiations with the group known as the 5+1 were resumed, and ultimately, on July 14, the parties were able to reach an agreement that, on one hand, imposes restrictions on Tehran's nuclear program and, on the other hand, provides a way out of the extensive international sanctions imposed in recent years. He stated, 'Bluster does not win; rather, truthfulness wins.' He added that for this reason, Iran chose 'the path of logic and truthfulness.' Rouhani also mentioned, 'Of course, the sanctions profiteers benefited greatly. The profiteers of sanctions were in Dubai, Europe, China, and Tehran, and they are angry about the agreement, but our people were paying the cost.' He did not directly name those he referred to as 'sanctions profiteers.' According to the Iranian president, the current achievements are more than what was imagined two years ago. He stated that with the implementation of the Vienna agreement, 'all economic sanctions, including financial, banking, insurance, transportation, and petrochemical sanctions, will be lifted immediately.' In this context, he expressed hope that 'the doors of the world' would open to Iran. The Iranian president, referring to Tehran's cooperation in the nuclear program over the past two years, considered it evidence that this cooperation could continue five times longer, meaning over the next ten years (the duration of the agreement with the 5+1). He noted that both sides of the negotiations say, 'I had a goal and I succeeded,' and for this reason, the agreement reached, although he said, 'there is not 100 percent trust,' is a 'win-win' agreement. Rouhani reiterated his support for the acceptance of the Additional Protocol and stated that this issue does not create any concerns and 'does not diminish our defensive capabilities at all.' Based on the timeline for the implementation of the 'Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action' (JCPOA), Iran will notify the International Atomic Energy Agency of the implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which means increased inspections of nuclear facilities, in due time to be implemented from the start of the contract. 'We can be enemies, but we can cooperate.' In another part of his live speech, the Iranian president referred to 'distrust' towards 'some countries' and added that this does not mean that 'if we have a problem with a country, we cannot discuss a common goal with that country.' He stated without directly naming a specific country that in other matters such as 'the end of Saddam Hussein's regime' or 'the issue of Afghanistan, the Taliban,' Tehran did not have direct intervention, but felt and advanced a common goal 'with others.' Therefore, it is not contradictory that a country may not be our friend, but we can negotiate on an important international issue. Rouhani's remarks seemingly refer to Iran's cooperation with the United States during Mohammad Khatami's presidency following the September 11 attacks and the U.S. response that ultimately led to the overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan. In recent months, Tehran has supported the central government of Iraq in the battle against the group known as the Islamic State, while Washington has also supported the Iraqi government in these battles. Rouhani added, 'So it is not contradictory that a country may not be our friend, but we can negotiate on an important international issue.' 'The Security Council resolution is our great achievement.' The Iranian president stated that the resolution passed in the United Nations Security Council, following the nuclear agreement, is 'a great political and legal achievement.' The United Nations Security Council, on Monday, July 20, issued a resolution supporting the final agreement reached between Iran and the 1+5 group. One day, Dr. Zarif, Dr. Araqchi, and Dr. Takht-Ravanchi told me after a meeting that it was all over, we could not reach an agreement. This was while I had communicated new red lines... It was a moment of farewell, and my hand was in one of these dear ones' hands; I told them it was a hard task, but rest assured we will succeed, of course, they remember what day it was and in what scene I told them. According to this resolution, in exchange for the lifting of sanctions against Iran, Tehran will curb its nuclear program in the long term. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated that before this resolution, Iran was recognized as a threat to peace and security and was under 'Chapter 7' of the Security Council. His reference is to Chapter Seven of the UN Charter, which gives the UN Security Council extensive powers to act in the event of a threat to world peace. In this case, the Security Council can take practical action and use military force. The Iranian president stated, 'Any country that has had a resolution passed against it and has been under Chapter 7 [of the UN] has, first of all, taken years... and faced war and the overthrow of that regime.' He cited the final overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq as an example. Iraq, during Saddam Hussein's rule, was placed under 'Chapter 7' following its invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The official exit from this chapter took place years after the overthrow of the previous regime in June 2013.