Iranian President Hassan Rouhani once again cautioned the Europeans to make a move in the very few days left before the deadline set by his nation arrives, stressing that death of the internationally-endorsed nuclear agreement will harm everyone.
“The current conditions are sensitive and France, along with other members of the nuclear deal, still have the opportunity to play their historical role, in the very short time left (before the deadline arrives), to keep the nuclear deal because undoubtedly, annihilation of the nuclear deal will not benefit Iran, France, the region and the world,” President Rouhani said in a meeting with new French Ambassador to Tehran Philippe Thiebaud on Monday.
He added that the US embargos on humanitarian issues, including medicine, medical equipment, spare parts for passenger planes, foodstuff trade and machineries for certain plants, indicate that the US has started an extensive economic war against the Iranian people.
President Rouhani also said that Iran intends to expand its close relations with France, adding, “Nothing should prevent development of relations and cooperation between Tehran and Paris.”
Thiebaud, for his part, said that France will endeavor to keep the nuclear deal, adding that his country is concerned about increased tensions in the region and is willing to have consultations with Tehran on regional stability and security.
In relevant remarks last Wednesday, President Rouhani underlined the strong conditions in his country, saying that the US intensified sanctions pressures on Tehran would deplete soon.
Addressing a cabinet meeting here in Tehran on Wednesday, the Iranian president said the US sanctions are at their peak and their efficiency would lower gradually.
“The Iranian nation should know that the US pressure against our country is at the peak, and practically, its capacity is ending and the sanctions and pressures will lose their capacity from now on and will deplete,” Rouhani said.
He described the US sanctions as unprecedented and incomparable with the past embargoes against Iran, and said, “No doubt what the US has done against the Iranian nation is one of the instances of economic terrorism.”
President Rouhani hailed the Iranian nation’s resistance, and said, “We can go through problems with unity and sympathy and force the ill-wishers to sit to the table of logic, negotiation and justice.”
He added that the Americans had recently modified their tone and decreased their irrational words, and noted, “Undoubtedly, they will return again from the wrong path they are paving and will understand that their path is not right.”
Also, last Monday, Rouhani blasted the US for economic terrorism against Tehran, stressing that the European states should strongly stand against Washington and its unilateral policies.
Withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) had nothing but negative impacts on interaction among countries and security of the region, Iranian President said in a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany Heiko Maas.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never been, and will never be, locked in a stalemate under pressure and sanctions,” he added.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to develop political and economic relations with the European Union member states, especially Germany,” President Rouhani said.
He went on to refer to Iran’s efforts to establish stability in the region and fight against terrorism, specially in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, saying, “Iran has always been positively effective in the development of stability and security in the region, and the current security in the region is because of Iran’s efforts.”
On the nuclear deal, the President said, “With its unilateral withdrawal from the JCPOA, the United States violated the agreement made between 7 countries, as well as the resolution of the Security Council, beginning terrorist acts in the region, but unfortunately, we have not seen any responsible and proper reaction by Europe towards the US.”
“With its unjust sanctions, the United States is moving on the path of economic terrorism and we believe that we have to stand up to those who deprive people of medicine and food,” he added.
Rouhani also referred to the solemn promises by three European countries in the past one year, saying, “In the past one year, we have not seen any serious acts from the side of Europe despite fairly good political stance; therefore, we have to made decisions and act in a way that is beneficial for us, you and all countries and the region”.
He said, “The war that the US has started against Iran for the past one year will never be beneficial for anybody and the Iranian nation have proved in this time span that they will withstand these pressures and bullying behaviors”.
Iran could act based on Article 36 of the JCPOA after US’ withdrawal, but it waited for a year, said the President, adding, “We expect Europe to stand up to the United States’ economic terrorism against the Iranian nation, living up to its commitments under the deal”.
Rouhani said that US move to prevent foodstuff and medicine from entering Iran are aimed at putting pressure on the people and create instability in the region, and said, “Security the region will never be achieved through pressurizing and sanctioning the Iranian nation”.
“First, the origin of tensions in the region need to be identified precisely to let us reach a proper solution for regional problems,” he continued.
“JCPOA was an important step for development of stability and security in the region, but with the US withdrawing from it and the other negotiators not living up to their commitments, how can we step towards more security in the region,” President Rouhani said.
“Today, JCPOA could be a basis for dialogue and diplomacy in the world, but because of the United States’ unilateral moves and the lack of commitments, it has turned into a factor for pessimism towards the principle of negotiations.”
The US wrong path of sanctioning the Iranian nation has made problems for many other countries as well, he said, adding, “Today, the main Iranian bodies and the nation are more united and integrated than last year, and the US’ decisions have definitely not had any benefit for them and other countries, including the EU.”
“We have plans for running our country under any conditions, but we believe that there is still hope to save this agreement and the EU can play a positive role in this regard,” said Rouhani.
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran also went on to describe the claims about Iran chasing nuclear weapons as baseless and said, “This claim cannot be true with regard to the latest 15 reports by the IAEA, and more importantly, the Supreme Leader’s fatwa prohibiting nuclear weapons”.
The Islamic Republic of Iran wants Resolution 2231 of the UNSC and the JCPOA to be fully implemented, said Rouhani, expressing the hope that “the EU member states especially can play their constructive role in this regard”.
