The chairman of the Expediency Council called on the domestic critics of the nuclear agreement to revise their approach and contribute to efforts aimed at promoting peace, hope, harmony and unity in the critical post-negotiations era with a view to preserving national interests.
Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani made the remarks in an address to the meeting of the council on Saturday, IRNA reported.
"We should maintain our unity through harmony, cooperation, and avoiding smear campaign… to (be able to) seize the appropriate opportunities at global and regional levels," he noted.
Advising the opponents to be committed to "constructive" criticism, Rafsanjani cautioned them against raising biased and politically motivated objections, which could undermine national strength and dignity.
He advised groups, factions and authorities not to underestimate the current status of the Islamic Republic.
The senior politician said the resistance of the nation, the Leader's vision and powerful diplomacy demonstrated by the nuclear negotiating team helped end the "long historical oppression" against the Iranian nation, namely the imposition of the "cruel" sanctions.
He noted that the participation of the people in religious gatherings at the fasting month of Ramadan (ended July 17), and their high turnout in International Quds Day rallies (held annually on the last Friday of Ramadan to express solidarity with the Palestinians in their struggle against the occupying Israel) were an indication of hope and harmony among the people.
He expressed hope that the atmosphere of national consensus and cooperation would prevail until the parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections, scheduled for February 26, 2016.
Focal Point
The former president said Iran has become a "focal point" of regional and global developments, adding that the negotiations with the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) on Tehran's nuclear program date back to the time before President Hassan Rouhani took office in 2013.
However, he said, the current administration took a "new approach" toward the nuclear talks.
Describing negotiations with representatives of six world powers as "tough" and "significant", he said the negotiating team entered the most recent round of talks in Vienna strongly and prudently, seeking to uphold the rights of the nation, and succeeded in doing so.
Rafsanjani referred to the latest statements by the US secretary of state before Congress and said it is a victory for the Iranian people that John Kerry confessed that Iran has acquired the status of a power which has access to nuclear know-how and that it is an illusion to think that Tehran will give in to force.
"It is interesting to witness the ongoing argument between the US administration and the Republicans on the one hand, and among Israeli officials on the other, as well as the confessions they make about Iran's influence and nuclear capability."
Pointing to the failure of Saudi Arabia to achieve its objectives in Yemen by launching indiscriminate and devastating attacks against the impoverished country, he said the Arab kingdom has intensified its airstrikes to get rid of the disaster it has created, but it will end up with nothing but "defeat" and "disgrace".
