Rouhani: We Have Taken Initial Steps to Reduce Hostility Between Iran and the U.S.

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated in an interview with CBS News that, in his view, initial steps have been taken to reduce hostility between Iran and the United States following the nuclear agreement. He emphasized that many issues remain and that distrust and distance between the two countries will not disappear quickly. Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, recently called for the Rouhani administration to pay attention to what he termed the 'hostility' of the U.S. and Israel, asserting that this 'hostility' has not diminished. Rouhani, in his first television interview with a Western network in recent months on September 20, responded to questions from the host of CBS's '60 Minutes.' He posed the question of whether we are moving towards increasing or decreasing hostility, answering that from his perspective, 'we have taken the first steps to reduce this animosity.' Relations between Iran and the U.S. have witnessed many tensions since the 1979 revolution and the occupation of the U.S. embassy in Tehran. The two countries do not have diplomatic relations, and negotiations between their foreign ministers to reach an agreement on Tehran's nuclear program were unprecedented in recent decades. However, these direct negotiations led to an agreement between Iran and six world powers, which limited Iran's nuclear program while halting related sanctions. Rouhani, who was interviewed in Tehran for '60 Minutes,' confidently stated that this agreement would be approved by the Iranian Parliament and the National Security Council. According to the Iranian president, polls indicate that the majority of citizens have a positive view of the nuclear agreement. He added that institutions like the Parliament or the Supreme National Security Council usually do not stray far from public demand. Steve Croft, the host of the program, mentioned that there is hope in both Iran and the U.S. that the nuclear agreement might lead to limited cooperation in other areas. The Iranian president noted that there are broad areas where there may be common goals or interests. What is significant about the nuclear agreement is that it demonstrated how both sides can behave. Adhering to this agreement (nuclear) in a positive direction will create a new atmosphere. He also emphasized that the slogan 'Death to America' in Iran is 'not a slogan against the American people.' In another part of his remarks, the Iranian president stated that compared to the past, public freedoms, freedom of expression, and relations between Iran and its neighbors have improved. However, he added that there are issues beyond the government's control. Rouhani did not directly refer to these issues, but CBS News highlighted matters such as individual freedoms, human rights, the house arrest of leaders from the widespread protests of 2009, and Iranian-Americans imprisoned in Iran. In response to the possibility of a prisoner exchange, Rouhani stated he does not like to use the term 'prisoner exchange.' However, if humanitarian steps can be taken, 'we must take those steps.' The host and producers of '60 Minutes' traveled to Tehran last week to conduct the interview with the Iranian president. It is expected that Rouhani will travel to New York next week to participate in the United Nations General Assembly.