On April 29, President Hassan Rouhani defended his administration’s foreign and domestic policies in a primetime address on state television. He dismissed hardliners who have opposed his outreach to the West and economic reforms that have recently raised prices. Rouhani said that he is proud of his government for creating an atmosphere in which citizens can criticize policies – “even though sometimes [they] make a mountain out of a molehill.” The president was also upbeat about prospects for nuclear negotiations and the lifting of international sanctions. The following are excerpted remarks from his semi-official Twitter account.
Nuclear Negotiations and Sanctions
We can solve challenges in relation to nuclear issue in a short time because we have nothing to hide.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Thanks to the effort of our #nuclear negotiation team, we're moving closer to breaking sanctions--which we see as violation of human rights.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Our red line is our nation's #rights. Having said this, extent of use of our rights is smth that will be decided by the Establishment.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014#Sanctions were a violation of human rights because it hurt people on ground--because it deprived patients from accessing their medication.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014We see sanctions as great oppression against our nation, and we will remove these measures. In terms of nuclear issue, our approach win-win.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014First steps towards ending sanctions have been taken - today we are witness to how financial sanctions no longer hinder trade in basic goods
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Instead of the government, we would like artists themselves & their guilds to deal with cultural affairs. #Trust #Cooperation #Solidarity
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014
Foreign Affairs
Some [in our country] believe we'll never be able to normalize our relationship with world. I have never adopted this approach. #engagement
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Our goal is friendship, both domestically& internationally. We've seen improved relations w/ our neighbours, region& the world. #RouhaniLive
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014When it comes to regional affairs, we hope our #Saudi neighbours realize peace & fraternity are the best way against terrorism. #WAVE
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Optimism and pessimism don't have much meaning in world of politics. What matters is realism.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Today, the world is witness to how we are engaging with the international community with a voice of reason. #ConstructiveEngagement
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014The world, including global public opinion, has understood that language of threats, sanctions & intimidation is erroneous.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014When I ran in elections, I said my way& style would be of friendship, reconciliation& peace--domestically & internationally. #RouhaniLive
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014
Economy
We have promised people to bring down inflation to 25% by the end of this year. It was 43% when we took office. #RouhaniLive
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 20144 phases of #SouthPars gas project to be completed;oil production& sales have both increased,addressing nation's energy needs & unemployment
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Banks both in Iran and abroad can today set up LCs for trade in basic goods - in the past, had to use middlemen who charged percentages.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Recent visits by the many foreign officials &entrepreneurs signals optimism. First steps have been taken& we shall see material improvements
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Majles (Parliament) asked us to pay cash subsidies to the underprivileged only. Thus, we asked those who are capable to avoid registration
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Main economic goal was to address inflation.Even under difficult circumstances,we didn't approach central bank to avoid increasing liquidity
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014
Healthcare
Hospitals will provide all that is needed for patients: from A to Z; and all Iranians will be covered by health insurance. #RouhaniCare
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014When #inflation is addressed, everyone wins, esp the underprivileged.So far $3bn has been put aside to improve health industry. #RouhaniLive
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014Only 200 items of medication were covered by insurance in the past. Looking to increase this list to >350 items by end of year #RouhaniLive
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014
Women
For first time, wives of diplomats were invited to mark our national women's day. All of us, even critics, should celebrate such victories.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) April 29, 2014