Rouhani Squeezed over Nuclear Talks Extension, Khamenei Rejects 'Bringing Iran to Knees'

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani faced thinly veiled pressure Tuesday over a missed nuclear deal deadline and an unexpected seven-month extension of talks, with hardliners denouncing the diplomatic deadlock.

The failure to clinch a final agreement with world powers dominated newspaper front pages, with most editorials viewing further dialogue as pointless because the talks have not yet yielded results.

The extension was debated in parliament where the judgment of Rouhani, who told the nation late Monday a deal would still be done despite the setback, was also scrutinized.

Lawmakers have consistently said the president and his negotiators have already made too many concessions over Iran's disputed nuclear program, a sentiment aired again in a tense parliamentary session.

Hamid Rasaie, a diehard conservative MP, said that while a final agreement would be a victory for Iran, Rouhani must resist pressure for a deal whose costs are too high.

"No critic who is caring and supportive of the Islamic republic would be happy about your defeat," he said of the possibility of no deal next year.

"Our criticism relates to your optimism towards the West," he added.

Rouhani has become a lightning rod for opponents who routinely doubt the merit of the nuclear talks, but the decision on any final agreement rests with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He officially supports Rouhani's policy, but has said several times the talks have achieved nothing, often blaming the United States and echoing the views of hardliners.

On Tuesday, Khamenei said Iran would not sink "to its knees" on the nuclear issue, despite the efforts of "arrogants" -- purportedly Western governments -- to make it do so.

Iran's arch-enemy Israel and many in the international community suspect Tehran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover for developing a nuclear bomb, a charge it strongly denies.

Khamenei's comments, his first since the missed deadline, came in a speech he made in Tehran.

Rouhani on Monday sought to rally support for the talks, saying a deal was within reach and sanctions would be lifted "step by step" though he would never give up the nuclear program.

"During all this time centrifuges were spinning," he said referring to the talks and the technical process of enriching uranium, a hotly contested issue as at high purities it can produce fissile material for an atom bomb.

"I promise the Iranian nation that those centrifuges will never stop working," Rouhani said on state television.

Those remarks were challenged by Rasaie who also criticized Rouhani for labeling his critics "illiterate" and "radical".

"Right now, neither the centrifuges spin, nor the factories work," the MP said. "We expected Mr Rouhani to apologize but unfortunately this didn't happen."

Conservative media also attacked the extension.

"Nothing" said the front page of hardline broadsheet Vatan-e-Emrooz, labeling the extra time a ruse to "cover up that negotiations in fact failed because of America's excessive demands".

However, Shargh, a leading reformist daily, said dialogue with the West, notably the United States, signaled "major change" for Iran and a "victory of realism, rationality and pragmatism".

Saeed Leylaz, one of Iran's top economists, said the $700 million per month Iran will receive in sanctions relief was a good result, equivalent to a daily increase of 300,000 barrels of oil.

"Increasing exports by that amount -- about 30 percent on present levels -- would be very difficult under any other circumstances," he said.

On Rouhani, he said: "He will continue to face pressure but he is the only one who can reach the nuclear agreement that most people want."

A Western diplomat in Tehran said Rouhani had bought himself time with the extension: "It is neither a defeat or a victory," he added.

In a positive economic indicator, meanwhile, the Iranian rial did not fall Tuesday, despite fears that no final deal would hurt the currency.

When international sanctions on Iran were announced in December 2011 the rial fell precipitously.

In central Tehran, the extension was welcomed.

"These negotiations are not a simple task that can reach a result quickly," said Hashemi, who gave only his surname.

"The beginning is positive. Hopefully, next time they can reach an agreement."

Comments 23
Thumb EagleDawn 25 November 2014, 14:46

so this evil creature also tweets?!

Thumb freedomarch 25 November 2014, 19:23

Actually it is his grand son Muhtada, he has sn open tweet sccount, unlike others, where he follows Kim El yong and drnnis rodman and sistani Jr., sometimed they let him pick from RevGuards dating site if it sppeals to him, as they ssy sisters are sbundant and the revolution needs new blod every day.

Thumb geha 25 November 2014, 14:56

hizbushaitan has lost. :)

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 15:20

quite the opposite geha, your takfiri masters will never be able to put us on our knees. The resistance rather die fighting.

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 16:57

Wild fantasies you have, funny this is not what you claimed during that time. You were whining about "Cyper Hezbos" hunting you down, and that Naharnet bore the fault, for not deleting comments.

You are just another cry baby of the M14. Like when your idols, took away the telecoms in 2008, with your various militias, and tried to flex your "muscles" you were beaten in a few days. Then you cried wolf, about the "Hezbos" killing civilians, when it was you guys whom massacred unarmed men.

You sound exactly like the takfiris did in the Syrian unrest, they claimed the Soldiers were gunning them down, when they themselves, attacked protesters, and attacked police departments & millitary institutions.

Now see what happend, you cry wolf again. Trying to sound all innocent.

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 17:14

Sorry to burst your manhood texas pansy, it was you whom felt life threatened on Naharnet, we both know it. That you deny it now, doesn't surprise me, like all cowards, you act tough.

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 17:49

Cyper bullying. I thought you called it Cyper warfare? You have to make up your mind. Very convincing story texas, the daily garbage article.

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 18:03

Remind me of that, next time you hallucinate and see "Cyper Hezbos" everywhere.

Thumb Elemental 25 November 2014, 19:22

Hi Mystic/multiple accounts, it's nice to see you support your native country of Iran, keep up the patriotism. Now please play the M14/Takfiri assumption card.

Thumb Elemental 25 November 2014, 22:56

I see the fake accounts brigade is in passive-aggressive mode lol.

Default-user-icon + oua nabka + (Guest) 25 November 2014, 15:58

best arm in the world that nobody can take from you is knowledge
worst arms that destroys its user are nuclear ,religion or fanatisime or takfirisme ,....
god bless democracy and science

Thumb Machia 25 November 2014, 16:13

Ordinary Iranians are suffering but Khamanei, his son Mojtaba and the rest of the clerical and military establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran are flushed with billions of assets and cash.

George Orwell describes totalitarian regimes well in Animal Farm and 1984? Not much difference between Khamanei, the Supreme Leader,Comrade Napoleon or Big Brother.

Thumb Machia 25 November 2014, 16:19

Dictators have been feeding humanity big slogans since the earliest civilization. They need to in order to keep their power and priviliges.
The bigger the slogans, the worse the dictator, the hungrier the people.
And if you are not part of the "believers", you are either in jail or dead.

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 17:05

If Iran wasen't the country it is today, then the U.S zionists would've invaded it long ago, and stripped it of it's natural resources.

The U.S doesn't have the guts for such a war, and if they suddenly do, it will certainly be the hell of all battles for them.

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 18:14

I dodge your garbage texas, there is a difference. Again, it is the West whom wants to have talks, and these talks never seems to be getting anywhere. No one is gaining on it. Iran will always be seen as the Axis of Evil, with nuclear power or not. So why should they bow down to your threats?

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 18:19

Netanyahu cheered the failed talks, because he wanted the U.S to attack Iran, for a very long time. But the U.S are still reluctant therefor they want talks, and for good reason. A war with Iran will not be a walk in the park, and the U.S commanders, knows this to be true.

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 18:40

Nothing of this is new.

There has been sanctions on Iran since 1979, they went through it during the Iran-Iraq war, when all odds were against them. They would do it again, if a new invasion occurs.

Thumb Elemental 25 November 2014, 19:23

Hi Southern, Mystic/multiple fake accounts, it's nice to see you support your native country of Iran, keep up the patriotism. Now please play the M14/Takfiri assumption card.

Thumb Mystic 25 November 2014, 19:54

Patriotic? He is a born and raised American. Just like the cowboy.

Thumb Elemental 25 November 2014, 22:57

I see the fake accounts brigade is in passive-aggressive mode lol.

Thumb freedomarch 25 November 2014, 20:01

Bad prostates does not mean bad Leader, but for sisters waiting for this Stud to dohis charm again you sre going to be disappointed. Wheather Iran balls or KSA Balls, it is all down to the blue pills for those over 60, unless operated upon and systems bellow were compromised.

Thumb freedomarch 25 November 2014, 20:16

Increasing*

Default-user-icon JCWilliams (Guest) 25 November 2014, 22:58

waste of time and everyone knows it even Rouhani unless he is delusional.