Rouhani: Iran to Abide by Promises If P5+1 Fulfill Obligations

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the Islamic Republic would observe its obligations as per the recent joint statement agreed upon with the P5+1 countries in Switzerland, provided that the other side abides by its obligations as well.

"The world should know that we are not deceptive and are not liars and any promises we give will be within the framework of our national interests and we will live up to our promises provided that the opposite side abides by its promises as well," Rouhani said in a televised address to the Iranian nation in the capital, Tehran, on Friday.

He added that if someday the P5+1 countries decided to choose a new path, the way would be open to the Iranian nation to make a proportionate decision as well.

The Iranian president said the nuclear negotiations were the first step toward "constructive interaction" with the world.

"We will have interaction will all those countries that want to respect the Iranian nation and work with the people of Iran within the framework of mutual interests," he pointed out.

The Iranian chief executive also noted, "There is no doubt that cooperation and interaction will benefit all."

Furthermore, he said Iran sought to improve relations with friendly countries while seeking an end to possible tensions with other states.

Rouhani added that Iran presently needed economic prosperity, employment for youth and higher non-oil exports and called on all economic activists to take action for the country to achieve these goals.

Based on the general agreement reached in Lausanne, "the P5+1 accepted that Iran should be able to conduct [uranium] enrichment within its own territory," he said.

Rouhani added that the West claimed that enrichment activities in Iran pose a threat to the Middle East region and the entire world "but now everyone has accepted that enrichment in Iran is not a threat to anyone."

"I explicitly announce that enrichment and all our nuclear technology only aims to develop Iran. Enrichment and [nuclear] technology will not be against any countries in the region and across the world," the Iranian president said.

He noted that Arak heavy water reactor would be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and Fordow enrichment site would remain open forever.

"Over 1,000 centrifuges would be installed at Fordow where nuclear and physical activities would be conducted," he said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team