Rouhani: We Seek an End to Hostility and Tension with Other Countries

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, regarded the Lausanne nuclear agreement as the first step towards Iran's engagement with the world, stating that the Islamic Republic seeks an end to tensions and hostilities with countries that have previously been considered enemies. One day after the political agreement between Iran and global powers regarding the framework of the nuclear deal, Mr. Rouhani spoke of the beginning of a new era in Iran's foreign relations, based on 'constructive interaction with the world.' He stated that the Islamic Republic extends a 'hand of friendship' to any country that behaves towards it based on mutual respect, aiming to improve relations with countries where ties are cold, and seeking to end tensions and hostilities with countries where relations have been hostile. The Lausanne nuclear agreement paves the way for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United States, and the United Nations against Iran, although it also limits Iran's nuclear program, which Hassan Rouhani describes as a 'win-win game.' According to him, 'The day of reaching a political nuclear agreement will remain in the historical memory of the Iranian people,' and that with the Lausanne agreement, 'both Iran's nuclear rights are preserved, sanctions are lifted, and Iran has achieved constructive interaction with the world.' He stated, 'With this political agreement, the 1+5 accepted that Iran can enrich uranium on its own soil, whereas until yesterday they claimed that enrichment on Iranian soil was a threat to the region and the world.' Based on the agreement reached in Lausanne, Iran's uranium enrichment activities will only take place at the Natanz facility and under regular supervision by International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors, while the Fordow site will be transformed into a research center, a point that Hassan Rouhani also emphasizes alongside the issue of lifting sanctions. The President of Iran said, 'The Fordow site will remain open forever, and more than a thousand centrifuges located there will remain there. All sanctions and six Security Council resolutions will be lifted from the day the nuclear agreement is implemented.' Mr. Rouhani ultimately emphasized that the Islamic Republic will adhere to every promise made in the negotiations and is 'not deceitful, provided that the other side also fulfills its promises.' With the agreement reached in Lausanne, the final stage of nuclear negotiations between Iran and global powers now begins, which must lead to a comprehensive agreement by early July.