Rowhani hopes for new accord with world powers over N-issue

TEHRAN: President-elect Hassan Rowhani expressed hope yesterday that Iran can reach a new agreement with the international powers over its nuclear program, saying such a deal should be reached through more transparency and mutual trust.
Rowhani said the United States must recognize all the rights of the Islamic republic, including its nuclear rights, in his first press conference since being elected Iran’s new president. “Any dialogue with the United States must be based on equality and mutual respect and on conditions. The US should not interfere in our internal affairs, recognize the rights of Iran including nuclear rights and stop its unilateral policies and pressure,” the cleric said.
“The next (Iranian) government will not give up the legitimate rights of the country.”
Rowhani, a moderate cleric who was declared winner of Iran’s presidential election on Saturday, ending eight years of conservative rule, also described as unfair and unjustified sanctions imposed against the Islamic republic over the nuclear issue.
The 64-year-old’s victory raised hopes of an easing of strained ties with Western nations, but he used his first news conference on Monday to rule out a halt to his country’s controversial enrichment of uranium. “This period is over,” Rowhani said, referring to international demands for a halt to Tehran’s uranium enrichment program.
There were “many ways to build trust” with the West, he added, as Iran would be “more transparent to show that its activities fall within the framework of international rules.”
Rowhani has previously vowed to restore diplomatic ties with the US, which cut relations in the aftermath of the 1979 seizure of the US Embassy by students.
Helped to victory with the backing of reformists, and the result of Friday’s election was welcomed by thousands of people who took to the streets and met with cautious optimism from world powers.
The White House on Saturday said Washington is prepared to engage Iran directly over its nuclear program with a view to reach a “diplomatic solution” to the controversy.