Alwaght- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the US will discredit itself globally and lose credibility if it reneges on a nuclear deal between six world powers and Iran.
Delivering a speech at the 72nd UN General Assembly session in New York on Wednesday, President Rouhani said “By reneging on its promises and violating international obligations, the new US administration will only discredit itself globally and lose the trust of governments and nations in any future negotiations and commitments.”
President Rouhani also lashed out at US President Donald Trump for his “ignorant and spiteful” comments against the Iranian nation.
During his speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump accused Iran of engaging in “destabilizing activities” in the region. Trump also denounced the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, including the US, as “an embarrassment” that Washington may abandon.
Dismantling JCPOA won’t stop Iran’s progress
In response, Rouhani said that the Iranian nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was an international agreement backed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231. “The JCPOA does not belong to one or two countries. The JCPOA is a UNSC document, which belongs to the entire international community,” Rouhani said.
Rouhani also responded to the US threat to scrap the deal, saying Iran would respond to any breach of the JCPOA. “The Islamic Republic of Iran will not be the first country to violate the JCPOA, but will firmly and appropriately respond to any breach,” he said.
He also warned about bids by “incompetent policymakers” to dismantle the JCPOA, but stressed that such attempts would fail to stop Iran from treading the path of progress.
Iran’s defense power only deterrent
Elsewhere in his speech, Rouhani talked about Iran’s defense power, including its missile program, reassuring the global community that Iran’s military might would be only deterrent and aimed at restoring regional peace and stability.
The Iranian president also lashed out at Israeli regime, saying it was not acceptable that the Zionist regime of Israel, which is not committee to international law and whose nuclear weapons pose a threat to the region and the entire world, advises peace-loving nations.
Rogue Israeli regime trampling Palestinian rights
On the Palestinian issue, President Rouhani pointed out that, “It is not possible that a rogue and racist regime trample upon the most basic rights of the Palestinians, and the usurpers of this land enjoy security.” He added that, Iran that has historically assisted the oppressed and noted that, centuries ago, Iranians supported the rights of the Jewish people and today is insisting on the restoration of the rights of the Palestinian people.
Turning to other regional issues, the Iranian President said it is simply impossible for anybody to aspire to attain long-term stability, prosperity and development, while Muslims in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Myanmar and so many other places live in misery, war and poverty.
Rouhani said Iran was in the forefront of the fight against extremism and terrorism, stressing the Islamic Republic sought a secure region and welcomed cooperation with other countries to that end. Outlining Iran’s stance on the war on terror, President Rouhani said, “Today, we are on the frontlines of fighting terror and religious extremism in the Middle East; not for sectarian or ethnic reasons, but for an ethical, humanitarian and strategic one.”
Iran engaging hearts, minds to spread revolution
President Rouhani also rejected claims that Iran seeks to spread its influence by force, pointing out that, “Iran does not seek to restore its ancient empire, impose its official religion on others, or export its revolution through the force of arms.” He added that. “We are so confident in the depth of our culture, the truth of our faith and tenacity and longevity of our revolution that we will never seek to export any of them in the way neo-colonialists do, with the heavy boots of soldiers.”
The Iranian president was emphatic that, “To promote our culture, civilization, religion and revolution, we enter hearts and engage minds. We recite our poetry and engage in discourse on our philosophy.”
