Rouhani praises Iran’s relations with Russia, expresses optimism over lifting of sanctions

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that his country has established friendly political, economic and military relations with Russia over the past eight years.

During a virtual ceremony held to launch a new powerplant in the southern province of Hormozgan, Rouhani said that Iran, Russia and China have engaged in close coordination in the Vienna talks with the aim of lifting the sanctions imposed on his country over its nuclear programme.

He added that Iran’s cooperation with Russia extends to technological areas and the building of nuclear plants.

“We cooperate in most international organisations,” he added.

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Vowing to work on getting the US-imposed sanctions lifted, the Iranian president said the Islamic Republic “defeated the sanctions in 2015” by signing the nuclear deal, and it would defeat them again this year. “We have a will to lift the US sanctions; this is our duty and we will do this.”

He stressed that most issues have been resolved in Vienna, and the few pending matters will be resolved too. “The sanctions will be lifted and our people will be able to witness better circumstances.”

Relations with neighbouring countries must be maintained, he continued, and Tehran will “not forgive” those who do not make it possible to have good relations.

“Some of them made foolish, childish moves by attacking [Iranian] diplomatic missions, and if it hadn’t been for this, our circumstances would have been better today.”