Iran's Rouhani addresses the UN

What right do the most aggressive states on the planet – the United States and Israel – have to judge a country that has not invaded another country in 200 years?

Rouhani to UN: 'Imaginary Iranian threat propaganda' dangerous for world security

Iran poses absolutely no threat to the world President Hassan Rouhani said in his address to the UN General Assembly. At the same time, militarism of “some players” and generalization of western values, he says, poses a true danger for the world security.

 

RT,

24 September, 2013

Mr. Rouhani stated that nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction have no place in Iran’s security doctrine in a sweeping speech, which also condemned the use of drones in the Middle East, as well as the enforcement of harmful and “violent” sanctions on Tehran.

"These sanctions are violent, pure and simple," he told the assembly, comparing them to the punitive measures against Iraq under late Saddam Hussein rule. "The negative impact is not nearly limited to the intended victims of sanctions," which means normal people, not political elites, ended up suffering because of these sanctions, Rouhani added.

The Iranian leader also addressed President Obama’s earlier UN address, and expressed hope for implementing a framework to manage relations with the US while expecting a “consistent voice” from Washington.

Mr. Rouhani called for the UN to enact an environment in which peace would prevail over what he termed coalitions for war, likely in reference to ongoing conflict over Iran’s nuclear program.

Among other topics touched on by the Iranian President in an often accusatory speech was the alleged "assassination" of his country's nuclear scientists, though he also indicated that his country was ready to immediately engage in result-oriented talks over its nuclear program, which Israel has consistently believed to be aimed at producing weapons.

Despite what some analysts believe has been a marked change in Iran's posturing since the election of Mr. Rouhani, who is thought to be more of a reformist than his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Israel largely signaled its rejection, with the country's delegation walking out of the UN chambers during the Iranian President's address, as has been the custom in prior UN General Assemblies.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly dismissed Iran’s newly conciliatory stance on its nuclear program, labeling it as a ruse designed to buy the Islamic Republic more time.

"Iran thinks that soothing words and token actions will enable it to continue on its path to the bomb," Netanyahu told reporters in New York.

On Tuesday rumors had swirled that the Iranian leader might meet with his American counterpart, though hopes for such a high level encounter were dashed after statements made by White House officials, who said that the Iranian delegation responded that such an encounter would be “too complicated."

Teheran bears olive branch

This is from Israel's Y-Net

Report: Rohani will shut nuclear site for sanctions lifting

If West agrees to lift Islamic republic's sanctions, Iran is willing to shut down nuclear facility in Fordo, Rohani says, according to Der Spiegel report

YNet,

16 September, 2013

Intelligence sources told the German newspaper Der Spiegel that Iran's President Hassan Rohani was willing to shut down the nuclear facility in Fordo, if the West agreed to remove all sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic.

According to the sources, Rohani is also willing to allow international inspectors to monitor the dismantling of the Fordo reactor.

Washington has imposed sanctions restricting US entities' trade with and provision of services to Iran in a dispute over Tehran's nuclear program. The June election of centrist cleric Hassan Rouhani to the presidency has raised hopes of a settlement and lifting of some sanctions.

Iranian officials and opposition figures alike have criticized the sanctions for blocking vital imports, while dissidents say they hurt their ability to organize.

The June election of President Rohani has raised expectations of a negotiated settlement to Iran's nuclear dispute with the West and a lifting of some sanctions. The West accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, but Tehran says its research has purely peaceful, civilian aims.

Tehran maintains an extensive web filter and blocks sites it deems critical of the government, including Karoubi's personal site, which includes statements, pictures, a biography and news related to the former parliament speaker.

The US Treasury Department loosened some sanctions in May, issuing a general license allowing US firms to sell services and technology used for personal communications to Iranians.

Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi said Monday that both Iran and world powers had to approach nuclear talks in good faith so as to create a "win-win" result.

But he said the chances of progress were improved by the unity among Iran's new political leadership over what it sought in the next round of talks and what it was prepared to give the world powers.

Salehi spoke outside of a 159-nation conference of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency that is expected to touch on fears over Tehran's nuclear aims.

Iranian President Hasan Rohani is expected to affirm his commitment to trying to ease tensions in comments to the UN General Assembly this week.

Even with the recent installment of Rohani and his relatively moderate aides, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains the top decision maker on the nuclear and other issues as the country's supreme leader.

In Tehran on Monday, state TV quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as warning that "threatening language against Iran" will backfire, adding: "Interaction with Iran will be possible only through respect."