LATEST: Iran Backs Removal of Iraqi PM Maliki, Nomination of Replacement
President Rouhani has told critics of his Government’s approach to nuclear talks with the US and other powers that they can go to hell.
Speaking to Iran’s ambassadors on Monday, Rouhani explained:
Some who are politically timid and cowardly do not have confidence and they assume everyone is like them. Whenever negotiations start, they say that they are shaking — To hell, go and find a warm place for yourself.
The last round of talks between Iran and the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia) over a comprehensive nuclear agreement ended in Vienna on July 18 after 16 days. The two sides agreed to extend an interim arrangement and continue discussions in the autumn.
Rouhani told the ambassadors, “The administration has done something big. One of these examples is the Geneva (interim) agreement and if some are not thankful for these efforts, sooner or later they will be and history will have its own judgment.”
The President claimed success that “the foundations of sanctions have broken…and the previous situation will not return”.
While US-led sanctions are still in place under a comprehensive agreement is reached, Iran has received more than $5 billion in frozen assets since the interim agreement took effect in January.
The President also used the nuclear issue to criticize Israel over its attacks on Gaza, which he said “made clear which country is after weapons of mass destruction and which is not”.
He concluded:
The world has to accept the present reality and know that we have a serious intention to resolve this issue and we will not retreat from our rights. This administration is not an administration that will retreat from the rights of the people. It is an administration that has the highest and best support of the people and in the best situation, in unity with the leaders of other branches.
The other branches of government are also with us and all of us are next to the guidance of the Supreme Leader.
(Hat tip to Al-Monitor’s Iran Pulse for translations)
Iran Backs Removal of Iraqi PM Maliki, Nomination of Replacement
Iran is supporting the nomination of Haidar al-Abadi as Prime Minister.
The Secretary of the National Security Council, Admiral Ali Shamkhani, said this morning that Tehran backs the legal process which led to al-Abadi’s selection.
The Iranian regime had supported Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki since the crisis of the insurgent offensive in mid-June, but in the last week it moved towards the conclusion that Maliki could not remain in power and restore stability.
