The Tehran Friday Prayer leader has addressed new US President Donald Trump, calling on him to “not interfere in other countries’ affairs” and to “fight terrorism”.
Ayatollah Movahedi Kermani also said Trump should fulfill his pledges to “save the American people from poverty and depression”, explaining that “previous administrations squandered the US budget with warmongering and arming butchers”:
You are inheriting a poor and hungry country. You must separate your path from previous administrations and not repeat their mistakes.
You must try to replace the incorrect culture of supporting the oppressors with a culture of serving the American people. Changing the angry and bullying nature of former officials will not be easy, but it is possible with work and effort.
Since Trump’s election, Iranian officials — including President Rouhani — have concentrated on a message that the new President should not abandon the July 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and the 5+1 Powers.
Trump said during his campaign that he would “rip up” the deal, which has lifted some — but not all — sanctions in return for limits on Iran’s nuclear program. However, he has stepped back from the declaration amid warnings from his top officials, such as Defense Secretary James Mattis, that ending the deal would be counter-productive. Instead, the Administration is expected to seek a renegotiation of measures.
Rouhaini: “No Walls Between Nations”
In another reference to Trump, President Rouhani told a conference on Friday, “One cannot raise walls between nations; today is the day of being neighbours.”
Rouhani expanded on his implicit statement about Trump’s proposed 2,000-mile border wall with Mexico by criticizing the new President’s protectionism: “Breaking trade pacts does not contribute to global economy and development.”
One of Trump’s first actions was to pull the US out of negotiations for the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, and he has also said that he will modify or even abandon the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.