Pakistan Media Widely Cover Rohani’s Remarks

Islamabad, June 19, IRNA - Pakistani media on Tuesday gave wide coverage to the remarks of Iran’s newly-elected president Hassan Rohani that Iran will not halt peaceful nuclear program. Pakistan’s leading English daily ‘The News’ reported that Iran’s newly-elected president Hassan Rohani has ruled out any halt to the nuclear activity but said he hoped an early deal could be reached with major powers. Rohani, addressing his first press conference since winning the vote, said there would be no change in Iran’s longstanding alliance with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The 64-year-old Rohani said that the EU and US sanctions against Iran’s oil and banking sectors were unjust. ‘The Nation said that ruling out nuclear rollback, Iran’s president-elect, Hassan Rohani, expressed the hope that his country could reach a new agreement with major powers over its nuclear program. He said a deal should be reached through more transparency and mutual trust. Rohani, who was declared winner of Iran’s presidential election on Saturday, also described as unfair and unjustified sanctions imposed against the Islamic republic over the nuclear issue. “Threats and sanctions are not effective,” Rohani told reporters. Daily ‘Dawn’ reported that Hassan Rohani has declared that his incoming government will seek to improve ties with regional countries. “The priority of my government is to strengthen relations with neighbours... the countries of the Persian Gulf and Arab ones that are of strategic importance and our brothers,” said Rohani. “Saudi Arabia is a brother and neighbor... with which we have historic, cultural and geographical relations,” he said in his first news conference since winning Iranˈs presidential election. Daily ‘Business Recorder’ said Iranˈs newly-elected president Hassan Rohani ruled out any halt to the nuclear activity. Rohani, addressing his first press conference since winning the vote, said that US should not interfere in Iranˈs internal affairs, should recognise its rights, including nuclear rights, ˈ...and stop its unilateral policies and pressureˈ, he added. ˈThe priority of my government is to strengthen relations with neighbors... the countries of the Persian Gulf and Arab ones that are of strategic importance and our brothers,ˈ he said. ‘Dunya’ TV website reported that Iran’s newly elected president has said that Iran will not stop its enrichment program. Speaking at his first news conference Hassan Rohani has described his election as opening a ˈnew era.ˈ ‘Samaa TV’ said that that President-elect Hassan Rohani has insisted Washington and the West must recognize Tehranˈs right to enrich uranium, not interfere in Iranˈs internal affairs and end their hostility. ˈFirst of all the Americans have to say ... that they will never interfere in Iranˈs internal affairs. Second, they have to recognize all of the Iranian nationˈs due rights including nuclear rights, and third they have to put aside oppressive ...policies towards Iran,ˈ he said. ˈOur nuclear program is completely transparent,” he said. ‘Radio Pakistan’ website reported that Iranˈs President elect Hassan Rohani has said they will continue uranium enrichment for their peaceful nuclear program. Rohani also made clear where he draws the line‚ saying ˈNo halt to uranium enrichment and no direct U.S. dialogue without a pledge to stay out of Iranian affairsˈ. ‘Geo’ TV said that Iranˈs newly-elected president Hassan Rohani has ruled out any halt to nuclear program. Rohani said there would be no change in Iranˈs longstanding alliance with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Urdu newspapers Jang, Nawa-i-waqt, Express, Jinnah and Ummat have also covered President-elect Hassan Rohani’s first press conference. They reported that Hassan Rohani has said that Iran will not stop its peaceful nuclear program./end