- Iranians holding Ashura mourning for Imam Hussein
- Third step: Iran officially informs EU of plan to expand nuclear R&D
- Iran expands nuclear R&D program: Rouhani
- Iran goes ahead in space tech, despite US sanctions: ISA
- Resistance Front undermining Israeli regime power: Top commander
- Iran: 7 crew members of detained UK ship freed
- US addiction to sanction threaten its power: Iran’s Zarif
- Dutch role in 2007 Stuxnet attack on Iran’s nuclear site under scrutiny: Iraian FM Spox.
- Iran: ‘Sustainable Security 2019’ kicks off in Caspian Sea
- Iran’s Zarif leaves Tehran for Moscow
- Shiraz University ranked 1st in liver transplantation: Iranian health official
- Japan’s Abe to meet Iran’s president to discuss easing tension in region
- Downing of US spy drone shattered war threats against Iran: Top IRGC commander
- IAEO head reports development of first ion-therapy hospital in west of Asia
- Iranian Taekwondo team wins 2019 World Cup championship
- US sanctions failed to force Iran to buckle: Report
- Crew fixing Iran oil tanker broken down in Red Sea
- As Iranians hold nerves, US seeks to scare off trade
- Leader expresses concern about Kashmir, urges India to follow fair policy toward Muslim-majority region
- Iran saffron exports down due to smuggling, government restrictions: Exporter
- Iran FM warns US against ‘serious miscalculation’ in Persian Gulf
- Iran’s resistance policy led to release of oil tanker: MP
- Iran in reverse brain drain as top students come home in rising numbers
- Iran official calls for compensation for tanker seizure
- Iran hails N Korea for standing against ‘unilateral’ US demands
- Shia Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Ghadir
- North Korea praises Iran’s anti-US struggle
- Zarif says to meet French president Friday
- Iranian court hearing case of UK oil tanker
- Over half of Japanese voters oppose joining US-led anti-Iran coalition in Persian Gulf: Poll
- IME trade ups by 21 percent in July
- Finland backs INSTEX in defiance of US
- US anti-Iran policy in high seas harms Europeans: LA Times
- Iran, China confer on Syria
- Iran, Finland share views on Persian Gulf dialogue forum: Zarif
- Iran warns US against seizure of oil tanker
- Iraq eager to benefit from Iranian Police’s experience
- Iran planning 3rd step to reduce nuclear commitments: Spokesman
- Leader grants clemency to over 1,000 Iranian inmates
- Registration for Arbaeen Pilgrimage to begin in Iran on Friday
- Iran, Iraq agree to reopen Khosravi border crossing
- Iran deplores suicide attack at Kabul wedding hall
- Iran to hold int'l hand-woven carpets expo
- Zarif meets with Iran-Kuwait Friendship Group members
- Adrian Darya oil tanker not under any sanctions, says Iran envoy
- ‘Iran to stay in nuclear deal as long as its interests are met’
- India envoy happy with positive trend of trade with Iran
- Iran’s annual export of white meat tops 2.5m tons: Minister
- Iranian scientist discovers new state of matter
- Iran, Japan diplomats discuss bilateral ties
- Iran, Ansarullah, European representatives Yemen developments
- ‘Iran to become self-sufficient in producing aircraft engines'
- US issues seizure warrant for Iranian supertanker 'Grace 1'
- Neanderthal tooth unearthed near Iran’s Zagros mountain
- Iran’s Zarif due in Kuwait on Saturday
- US faces humiliating defeat after Gibraltar releases Iranian tanker: Envoy
- Spokesman rejects claim on Iran’s commitment in exchange for tanker release
- Zarif reacts to release of Iranian tanker in Gibraltar
- Israel, UAE engaged in secret talks on Iran arranged by US: Report
- US threatens visa ban as Iranian-operated tanker sets to sail from Gibraltar
- Enemies must factor Iran's global power in their calculations: IRGC's chief commander
- Trump’s administration conflicting messages to Iran baffle go-betweens: Report
- Gibraltar releases Iran-operated tanker despite US pressure
Tehran, YJC. -- Lawyer, cleric, academic. Iran’s new president Hassan Rouhani was playing the role of the diplomat as he met his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran on Tuesday.
The pair discussed the economic and political problems the country faces, especially after years of sanctions imposed by the
West over Iran’s nuclear stance.
West over Iran’s nuclear stance."The next government aims to make use of experiences of all past governments, and God willing, ease the problems that people are facing,” declared Rouhani .
One test of Rouhani’s moderate credentials will be whether Mirhossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi are released. Both were placed under house arrest following protests after the disputed elections in 2009. A press conference was cut short on Monday after pro-Mousavi slogans were shouted across the room.
Putting on his old nuclear negotiator cap, he earlier pledged transparency over the country’s nuclear programme, but noted that any suspension of uranium enrichment was out of the question.
Euronews spoke with Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian diplomat who worked alongside Rouhani on the nuclear issue.
Nima Ghadakpour, euronews: "You worked with Rouhani for years. As president, do you think he’ll deliver on the hopes he has raised among his supporters?”
Hossein Mousavian: "I am certain the power of the presidency, which is, constitutionally, the second-highest in the country, will enable him to do that. If we listen to the policy he committed to during the presidential campaigning, and based on what I know from having worked with him for 30 years, I can tell you that he has the capacity to resolve a major part of the internal and international problems with which Iran is confronted today.”
euronews: "On foreign policy: Barack Obama voiced optimism when Rouhani was elected. Do you believe Rouhani will be able to open up and normalise relations with the United States?”
Mousavian: "That is not something that Rouhani can do on his own. At least half of the responsibility lies with the US, and I believe even more than that. According to Iran’s constitution, it is the Supreme Leader who takes the final decision, and he showed his intentions clearly on this subject a few months ago. He said that although he was not very optimistic, if the government wanted to open negotiations with Washington, he wouldn’t stop it.”
euronews: "In your opinion, did the Supreme Leader send the international community a message through this election?”
Mousavian: "The leader’s policy towards the US hasn’t changed since the presidencies of Rafsanjani, Khatami and even Ahmadinejad. The leader’s policy is first based on mutual respect, and against interference in internal affairs. If these conditions are met, the leader is ready to talk. That’s been his policy since he rose to power.”
euronews: "On Syria: Rouhani said yesterday at his press conference that the only way to solve that crisis is through the will of the people. At the same time, Jack Straw, the British former foreign minister, said that Rouhani’s election raised new hope for that region. What do you think?”
Mousavian: "The key to the Syrian crisis, as Rouhani says, is the will of the Syrian people. That principle could be a primary principle both for the international community to follow and for regional powers in resolving the Syrian problem.”
euronews: "But how can the will of the people prevail in Syria?”
Mousavian: "I say that, in order for it to triumph, as Rohani said, an international conference must be organised, with the 5+1 powers in the UN Security Council and regional powers, who would decide on the putting into place of free elections, under United Nations monitoring, so that the Syrian people decide on the future of their country. That is the best, most pragmatic solution in solving the Syrian problem.”
Your Comment