Illegal sanctions against Iran crumbling: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the illegal sanctions imposed against the country are crumbling down.

“Today we witness cruel shackles that have been imposed to limit Iran’s economic activities are being broken,” Rouhani said in an interview with Iran’s national broadcaster on Wednesday night.

“The limitations on food and in the pharmaceutical industry, the auto industry, petrochemicals, insurance, shipping and even sectors like banking have been curtailed,” he stated.

Rouhani also noted that a large number of foreign companies and investors are keen to invest in Iran’s economy.

The Iranian head of state further emphasized that Tehran values friendly ties with its neighbors and is interested in developing warmer relations with other countries around the world.

He also hailed the interim deal on Iran’s nuclear energy program as a great achievement which has preserved the country’s rights.

Last month, Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — Russia, China, France, Britain, and the United States — plus Germany started to implement the nuclear deal they had inked in Geneva, Switzerland, last November.

As part of the agreement with the Sextet, Tehran suspended 20-percent uranium enrichment on January 20. It also started the process to dilute and oxidize its stockpile of 20-percent enriched uranium.

Tehran and the six world powers are scheduled to hold a fresh round of nuclear talks in the Austrian capital of Vienna on February 18 to achieve a final comprehensive nuclear deal.