Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the landmark nuclear deal reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries is in the interests of the regional and global peace and stability.
Rouhani made the remarks in Tehran on Sunday, before leaving for New York to attend the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“Today, there is a consensus in the world that the JCPOA benefits security, stability and development in the region and the world,” he said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as the nuclear accord is officially called.
“The opponents of the JCPOA are restricted to two or three countries, including some in the US, who feel cheated. They believe that a feast has been set out but that they are deprived of going to the table and having something,” Rouhani said.
“This is while they can also choose the right path, enter the room and go to the table; that’s fine with us,” the president said, using an uncharacteristically figurative language.
Rouhani said his planned meetings on JCPOA in New York are “very important,” adding there is need for clarifications which have to be made about the nuclear accord.
Apart from the JCPOA, he will also talk about bilateral ties with world countries, regional issues as well as international developments including the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
The foreign ministers of Iran and the six other countries are likely to meet to discuss the nuclear deal on the sidelines of the General Assembly meeting.
President Rouhani further said regional issues have no military solutions, and there is need for political solutions with the participation of other countries.
He also cited terrorism as a major problem which all countries should join hands to eradicate in order to return peace and security to the world.
US President Donald Trump is fiercely opposed to the nuclear accord with Iran. He will reportedly be embarking on a whirlwind series of meetings at the United Nations General Assembly to ask allies to hold the line against Iran’s nuclear program.
According to NBC News, Trump plans to sign off on a new Iran policy ahead of his first appearance at the United Nations General Assembly. The US president is seeking to take a more aggressive approach, according to administration officials.
While there is broad consensus that Iran is abiding by the agreement with the US, Russia, China and three European powers, some American officials have hinted that Trump would decertify the deal when it comes up for renewal in October.
European governments, however, stand firmly behind the deal, and European companies have pursued a series of partnerships inside Iran now that major sanctions have been lifted.
Observers say Europeans would be furious at Trump for possibly wrecking the agreement, warning that would result in a diplomatic crisis. Moreover, the US would not be able to count on the EU to reimpose sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
“The Iran deal is a good and robust agreement that serves the interests of all parties,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement.
“It is not an agreement between two countries — it is a commitment undertaken by the entire international community on one side and Iran on the other, supported by a resolution of the UN Security Council,” she added.
