PHOTO: European Union’s Catherine Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

LATEST: Rouhani Defends Government For “Creating Peace and Calm”

Iran and the 5+1 Powers have expressed both caution and hope at the conclusion of two days of nuclear talks in Vienna.

The two sides met for the second time to discuss a comprehensive agreement, following November’s interim nuclear deal. A statement after the talks said the next high-level negotiations would be from April 7-9, preceded by three days of technical discussions.

A “senior US Administration official” — probably lead US negotiator Wendy Sherman — said there was still “a gap” over Iran’s future enrichment of uranium: “(It is) going to take some hard work to get to a place where we can find agreement.”

The US official pointed to areas such as monitoring, the status of the Natanz and Fordow enrichment facilities and the under-construction Arak heavy-water reactor, and Iran’s uranium stockpiles.

However, she said that she was still hopeful of meeting a deadline of late July for conclusion of the comprehensive agreement. The discussions, including an 80-minute bilateral meeting between Iran and the US, were “very professional, very workmanlike”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif echoed, “We still have hard work ahead.” He said that, with the agenda agreed, “primary negotiations” would begin in April, “although the landscape for reaching an agreement is unclear”.

Iranian State media emphasizes Tehran’s “red line” for a deal, with Zarif asserting:

Our right to enrichment is recognized under the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), we don’t ask anybody to recognize our right. What is important is that Iran’s exercise of that right…should not be obstructed.

President Rouhani said after a Cabinet meeting, “The world has admitted that Iran is, and will be, among the countries which have nuclear technology, including enrichment, and there is no doubt about this for anyone.”

British Foreign Secretary’s New Year Message Urges Improved Relations

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has made a video message calling for improved relations between London and Tehran to mark the Persian New Year.

Hague said “Nowruz is also a time for fresh starts and in that spirit I want to say to the Iranian people that the United Kingdom looks forward this year to improving relations with Iran.”

The Foreign Secretary cited the re-establishment of relations through the appointment of non-resident charges d’affaires by both countries.

He added, “Of course, it doesn’t mean we have resolved our all differences. We haven’t. There remain many pressing issues for us to address. But I firmly believe that constructive dialogue and improved cooperation between the UK and Iran is in all our interests. For that reason, we will continue our efforts to improve relations in ways that bring concrete benefits to both our people.”

Rouhani Defends Government For “Creating Peace and Calm”

In a statement at the last administration meeting before the Iranian new year begins, President Rouhani defended his government for “creating peace and calm in society,” which can be “the primary foundation for our society’s movement today and tomorrow.”

Rouhani’s statement can also be read as a swipe at the president’s outspoken hardline critics.

He added that a final nuclear agreement “will benefit all,” including “the region, West, East and Iran.”

MP Criticises Islamic Guidance and Culture Ministry’s “Move Towards Secularism”

The Rouhani administration has come under fire again for its policies on cultural matters, this time from MP Hojjat al-Eslam Mahmoud Nabavian who criticised the Islamic Guidance and Culture Ministry.

Nabavian accused the Ministry’s policies of “moving towards secularism and the expansion of liberal values.”

He added, “I point out the Qanoon newspaper that repudiated a verse of the Qur’an, calling it gender discrimination and considering that verse proof of this matter. In the Aseman newspaper, we also saw them undermining the divine law of qisas. Imam [Khomeini] called these individuals apostates.”

The pro-government Aseman newspaper was closed by the Judiciary in February “for desecration of Islamic sanctities and publishing material that was against Islamic rulings.”

Sakineh Ashtiani, Center of High-Profile Stoning Case, Is Pardoned

Senior judiciary official Mohammad Javad Larijani has announced that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani has been pardoned.

Ashtiani was threatened by death by stoning after she was convicted of complicity in the murder of her husband. Her lawyer, Houtan Kian, was imprisoned for almost three years. Another lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaei.

The case received international attention, with the formation of an International Committee Against Stoning. State TV responded with a “documentary” proving Ashtiani’s guilt and featuring her “confession”.

Larijani said on Tuesday:

The Sakineh Mohammadi file became the source of four months of widespread attacks against the regime.

This individual was sentenced to death, but on the international level they began a whole campaign of controversy over it.

We did not pay much attention to those efforts. We simply went after trying to plead mercy for her with the complainants, and once we did that, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison and now, because of good behaviour, she is being pardoned.

Revolutionary Guards Hit Back at Rafsanjani Over “Fraudulent Elections” Remarks

Amid reports that Hashemi Rafsanjani has denounced the 2009 Presidential election as fraudulent, an editorial in a Revolutionary Guards’ publication has lashed out at the former President:

Mr. Hashemi must know that he is part of the system.

Mr. Hashemi! The people are still upset about your bad positions regarding the [2009] sedition and hope for your return.

We want the Hashemi of the Imam [Khomeini] era who is a loyal friend of the Supreme Leader, not the Hashemi who satisfies the enemy with his change.

See Rafsanjani Says 2009 Presidential Election Was Rigged

Rafsanjani also said in two speeches that he turned down an offer to become head of judiciary and that, if he had taken the post, he would release many political prisoners. He also accused the Guardian Council of being influenced by “security forces”, as he advised university students to pursue a Gandhian strategy of non-violence until “no one dares oppress the people”.

Supreme Leader’s Representative: “Are All Officials Concerned About Islam & Religion in Society?”

It looks like the Supreme Leader’s office has fired another warning shot on the cultural front, as the Rouhani Government faces pressure from hardliners.

Ayatollah Khamenei’s representative to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Ali Shirazi. said:

An administration must implement Islamic law and remain committed to it.

Preserving Islam is at the center of all affairs. This being said, are all of the country’s officials today concerned about Islam and religion in society?

(Hat tip to Iran Tracker for translation)