Iran Not to Negotiate From Position of Weakness
IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK
TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani says the country will never give in to negotiations from a position of weakness, emphasizing that the US policy of “maximum pressure” on Iran has failed to achieve its goals.
Rouhani made the remarks in a press conference with domestic and international media in Tehran on Sunday, saying, “All [economic] indexes show that we have weathered [the worst phase of] the US maximum pressure [policy]. Americans have reached the conclusion that the path they have chosen [for dealing with Iran] has been based on a wrong strategy.”
He added, “What they thought that they could use maximum pressure to make us sit at the negotiating table from a position of weakness is not possible [to take place] and we have talked to the world with power and dignity, but we will never negotiate from a position of weakness.”
U.S. officials and those in the Oval Office should change their minds to the benefit of people in America as well as people in the region, he said.
The U.S. should forget about unilateralism and even the fact that once they assumed to be the world’s leader and instead respect world nations and their legal governments which will lead to resolving all problems, he said.
The main objective of the U.S. is to press the government with the utmost pressure; he said, adding that Iran has announced its stances powerfully and with dignity.
Rouhani went on to say that this is the first time that Iran experiences an oil-free economy.
He further said that all indexes indicate that the Islamic Republic of Iran has successfully overcome the U.S. maximum pressure.
He appreciated the Iranian nation for their massive turnout in the 41st victory anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
The brave Iranian nation is to resist against all foreign pressures and successfully overcome all difficulties, he said.
Iranian people have also overcome maximum pressure exerted by the US and this is the fact that the US administration will have to admit, he said.
We are determined to bring the enemy to the negotiation table; President Rouhani underlined, adding that all statistics indicate that Iran has made great achievements in energy, agriculture, tourism, mines, education, and other parts.
People are to play an active presence in the upcoming parliamentary elections as such maximum presence will be to Iran’s benefit and this will disappoint the U.S., he said.
A sound elections campaign will bring more people to the ballot boxes, President Rouhani said.
Throughout history, various governments have exchanged messages between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia and we have always admitted that there is no complex problem between the two countries not to be resolved and anytime Saudi voices readiness, talks could be initiated, President Rouhani said.
The main problem in the region for Saudi Arabia is the issue of Yemen and it is very important for them how to deal with the issue, he said, adding that the Saudi King made a big mistake in dealing with Yemen as they assumed they can capture the country within weeks or months.
These were among grave mistakes of Saudi Arabia which created problems for itself as well as Yemen and they committed an unprecedented massacre in the country, President Rouhani said.
If Saudi Arabia stops aggression in Yemen, grounds for talks and reconciliations will be created as Yemen is one of the most important issues in this respect, the Iranian president said.
Commenting on the Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) initiative, he pointed out that the regional peace and security is impossible without Iran’s efforts as well as presence.
Hormuz Peace Endeavour was put forward at 74th UNGA, he said, adding the initiative had been sent to the United Nations Secretary-General as well as the regional nations in order to participate.
