Rouhani: Tehran Ready to Give Diplomacy a Chance

EghtesadOnline: President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday his administration is set to utilize every means and opportunity, including diplomatic openings, to safeguard national interests.

News ID: ۷۴۸۲۷۰

27 August 2019

He said officials would spare no effort to address the problems and employ every tool to protect people’s interests, Tasnim News Agency reported.

“It is necessary to resist when it benefits us, and as we are standing for our national interests and independence, we will not get tired,” the president said, referring to Iran’s efforts to counter the US “maximum pressure” campaign, Financial Tribune reported.

Pointing to ongoing negotiations with Europeans on the preservation of the nuclear deal led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, he stressed that the administration “will not refrain from attending a meeting when it serves national interests and helps resolve the problems of people”.

Rouhani said although Tehran is bearing the negative impacts of sanctions, its reciprocal move to reduce its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal is taking place in a phased manner.

“The two-month intervals between the stages of reducing commitment to the nuclear deal are meant to give diplomacy a chance,” he said.

The EU’s inaction to compensate for US sanctions after its exit from the nuclear deal forced Tehran to stop honoring some of its nuclear commitments.