Rouhani Praises Nuclear Deal: ’Israel’ Isolated

Local Editor

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani Tuesday hailed a landmark interim nuclear deal reached with world powers this week as the right step in a "long" journey to a comprehensive accord, adding that the deal worked to isolate "Israel".
He stressed that Iran's enrichment of uranium would continue as his negotiators engage with the so-called P5+1: the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany.
"Agreement in Geneva is a very positive first step, but the journey before us is long," Rouhani said in a live address on state television to mark his Cabinet's 100th day.

He further mentioned: "Step by step, we're moving toward achieving a comprehensive agreement with the P5+1."
"Enrichment, which is part of our rights, will continue ... Iran will never abandon its enrichment activities," he added.
"There are some in the world who do not want this issue to be resolved, and there may even be some in this country who are acting childish," Rouhani said.

Referring to "Israel", the Iranian leader confirmed: "Everyone is happy about this deal" except "warmongers and that regime, which is an illegitimate one that occupies."
"Now, our enemies are isolated," Rouhani added.
For his part, Iran's foreign minister said bilateral discussions with the US before the historic nuclear deal had been limited to the atomic issue and there was no rapprochement with Washington.

The White House, meanwhile, warned Congress against voting on fresh sanctions on the Islamic Republic because they could derail diplomatic efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear program.

Mohammad Javad Zarif's remarks came after a senior US official said a series of secret meetings between Iranian and American envoys had taken place since the June election of Rouhani in preparation for Sunday's nuclear deal.
"Our discussions have been limited to the nuclear issue," Zarif said in English when asked about the revelation, without directly commenting on them or giving any details.
"All the speculations about discussions involving other issues are flatly wrong, as we've only concentrated on the nuclear issue," he said.
"In discussions on the sidelines of the P5+1 there were various countries, including the United States," Zarif said.
"We made it very clear that there is no problem for Iran to discuss with all the parties ... on the resolution of the nuclear issue."

The White House warned Congress against voting for fresh sanctions on Iran, after leading members from both parties began drafting the measures. "For Congress to add additional sanctions before this diplomatic window could be pursued would undermine our credibility about the goal of these sanctions," said deputy White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

"We're not sanctioning just for the sake of sanctions and we're not sanctioning the Iranians specifically to punish them.
"We have these sanctions in place to pressure Iran to consider and pursue a diplomatic option. That diplomatic opportunity has presented itself and we should pursue it," he added as President Barack Obama arrived in Los Angeles for a visit.

Source: News agencies, Edited by website team