Sadegh Larijani: The Government Should React to Trump's Order with Lessons from the Bitter Experience of the JCPOA

On the day that Hassan Rouhani emphasized that Iran is neither 'alien-worshipping nor alien-fearing' and utilizes interaction with the world 'for national interests', the head of the judiciary called for the government to respond to the temporary ban on the entry of Iranians into the U.S. 'with lessons from the bitter experience of the JCPOA'. According to the state news agency IRNA, Sadegh Larijani on Monday, February 11, described the executive order banning citizens from seven countries, including Iranians, from entering the U.S. as 'an expansion of Islamophobia' and 'an imbalanced, inhumane act contrary to human rights standards'. Mr. Larijani emphasized that the Islamic Republic 'does not seek influence but rather the values of the Islamic Revolution have found their way in the region' and 'this influence is a spiritual and faith-based influence'. He added: 'Dominance and influence cannot be achieved by the visits of a few experts to other countries. If that were the case, the Americans with all their tools and equipment could have been influential in Iraq and Afghanistan'. Mr. Larijani urged the President, the government, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to respond decisively and appropriately to the 'imbalanced, illogical, and inhumane' behavior of the U.S. by 'learning from experiences such as the important and bitter experience of the JCPOA'. The head of the judiciary's use of the phrase 'important and bitter experience' for the Vienna nuclear agreement comes while officials from Hassan Rouhani's government have previously stated that this agreement has had significant achievements, including the lifting of sanctions and improving the economic situation, and 'removed the shadow of war from over Iran'. According to an executive order issued by Donald Trump, the President of the United States, on Friday, the issuance of visas for citizens of seven countries, including Iran, will be halted for at least 90 days, and the entry of refugees or citizens of these countries into the U.S. will be prevented. This restriction includes holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas, and it has been stated that decisions regarding holders of U.S. permanent residency will be made 'on a case-by-case basis'. The issuance of this order has led to widespread reactions, including in Iran, and on Sunday, the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, as the protector of U.S. interests, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive Iran's note of protest. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has also announced that 'while respecting the American people', it will implement the principle of reciprocity. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, also stated on Saturday, February 9, without mentioning this order, that 'the era of walls between nations has come to an end', referring to the fall of the Berlin Wall. On Monday, Mr. Rouhani also indirectly referenced this order, saying: 'We are neither alien-worshippers nor alien-fearers; we use interaction with the world for national interests'. In this context, the First Vice President also stated on Monday that the government will take 'reciprocal action' regarding visa issuance for American citizens and will support Iranians worldwide with all available tools. Eshaq Jahangiri emphasized that Iran will take a stance 'in international communities against this illegal, inhumane, and anti-human rights act'. Previously, Hassan Qashqavi, the consular deputy of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated that 'Trump's action to ban Iranians from entering the U.S.' is contrary to international law and Tehran will pursue this issue in global forums and will 'reciprocate at any level'.