President: Some stand against lifting of sanctions on Iran due to personal interests

Some people are against the lifting of sanctions on Iran, due to their personal interests, the country’s president Hassan Rouhani said, Iranian ISNA news agency reported on Jan. 16. Rouhani made the remarks during his first provincial trip to the southwestern province of Khuzestan in Iran. The president’s visit to the province started on Jan. 14. It should be noted that Iran and the P5+1 reached a nuclear agreement on Nov. 24, 2013. Iran has agreed to curb some of its nuclear activities for six months in return for sanctions relief.

Iran and P5+1 countries have agreed to start implementing the Geneva nuclear deal on January 20.

Iranian president underlined that he has a lot to say on the issue, and he “will inform the people, whenever the time comes.”

Rouhani further expressed support for the country’s nuclear negotiating team that is engaged in holding talks with the P5+1 group on Iran’s nuclear program.

“Those who have been chosen for diplomatic responsibilities, are the strongest people in this area, that I’ve known,” Rouhani, a former nuclear negotiator himself, said.

The U.S. and its Western allies suspect Iran of developing a nuclear weapon – something that Iran denies. The Islamic Republic has on numerous occasions stated that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, using nuclear energy for medical researches instead.

Previously speaking to the people of the province, Rouhani said that Iran is not in conflict with the world, adding that “we stand firmly on our national interests.”

Rouhani went on to say that Iran wishes to have a constructive and effective interaction with the world, as political clashes create tensions in society, and have negative effects on economic activities. /Trend/