President Hassan Rouhani says the domestic challenges of the major powers involved in nuclear negotiations are none of Iran’s concern, suggesting that the outcome of the US midterms elections should not in any way affect or undermine the process of talks on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Rouhani said, “It is not our concern whether a party has won or lost the elections; all countries should address their domestic challenges themselves within their own borders,” IRNA quoted him as saying during a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday.
“Countries should not bring their domestic challenges to the negotiating table; this is not legitimate and reasonable and all members of the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) should take note of long-term interests of nations and the whole region,” the president said.
Republicans seized control of the US Senate in the midterm elections last week for the first time in eight years and in the two final years of Obama’s presidency. Analysts speculate that with the change of leadership at the Senate and the GOP’s control over the House of Representatives, Republicans may now seek to stall efforts by the Obama administration to strike a deal with Iran and roll back sanctions on the country. There have also been reports that Republicans my try to impose new sanctions and even revoke a possible deal that may be reached by the November 24 deadline for a nuclear settlement after the end of Obama’s term.
Highest Assurance
The president also said, “If the P5+1 and some other countries want to hinder Iran’s development and are looking for excuses, (I should tell them) that would not happen and our nation will not give up the path to development.” He said, “It is our right to use nuclear technology within the framework of IAEA treaties and safeguards agreements,” adding that the fatwa by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is the “highest assurance” demonstrating the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.
On February 22, 2012, Ayatollah Khamenei declared that Iran considers the pursuit and possession of nuclear weapons a “grave sin” from every logical, religious and theoretical standpoint.
Win-Win Agreement
Rouhani said, “Tehran has spared no effort” for the success of the nuclear talks, adding, “I hope all P5+1 member states, particularly the US, which sometimes makes excessive demands, understand the situation.”
He expressed hope that both parties could strike a “win-win agreement” because he said, “an agreement that only reflects the interests of one party is not a strong one and could not last for a long time.
“An agreement between Iran and the P5+1 is both to the benefit of Iran and all countries.”
Deal Possible Despite Gaps
A senior Russian diplomat expressed optimism on Wednesday that a deal could be reached this month between world powers and Tehran despite “deep gaps” on some issues. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia was doing all it could to help secure an agreement which would provide assurances to the West that Tehran’s program was not intended to build weapons, Reuters reported.
“We are focused completely on the task before us, in so far as we have a chance, and it’s not small. We can’t miss (the opportunity),” Ryabkov said.
50% Chance of Talks Extension
Al-Monitor on Tuesday quoted an unnamed diplomat close to the talks as saying that there might be “a 50% chance on the negotiations continuing.”
“There is a 25% chance of a comprehensive deal being reached by November 24, a 20% chance of a framework agreement reached and a 50% chance on the negotiations continuing,” the diplomat said. The final round of talks between representatives of Iran and the six major powers are scheduled to resume in Vienna on November 18 to allow the negotiators to make last efforts to seal a comprehensive deal.