TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - Hassan Rouhani said late Monday that there are no differences of opinion between officials and people on this subject.
In a meeting with religious scholars (Ulema) and seminary figures, he said: “Clerics have always played a leading role in maintaining the Islamic world’s fundamental interests,” IRNA reported.
Referring to the influence of clerics among the public as a stratum respected by the society, he said that over the past 40 years and following the victory of the Islamic Revolution, clerics shouldered the responsibility of running the society.
The president pointed to the complicated situation in the region, noting that those in the White House have always acted against the Islamic establishment over the past 40 years.
Iran's President in a meeting with religious scholars and seminary figures
Fortunately, the people believe that Iran was not the starter of the tension, he said, adding that the enemy has always sought to portray Iran as initiator of the conflict, but this has never been the case.
“If we walked away from the JCPOA because of America's provocative acts, then, in addition to the US, the UN and the world would also impose sanctions on us,” he said.
The drop in government revenues and restrictions and limitations on Iranian banks are the main problems, he said, noting that 87 percent of the global interaction is conducted with the dollar and today the currency has been sanctioned unilaterally for Iran.
“I favour talks and diplomacy but under current conditions, I do not accept it, as today situation is not suitable for talks and our choice is resistance only,” he said.
Source: Iran Press