Iran: Priority to protect nuclear deal from US

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Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday the top foreign policy priority for his new government is to protect the nuclear deal from being torn up by the US.

"The most important job of our foreign minister is first to stand behind the JCPOA and not to allow the US and other enemies to succeed," Rouhani told the parliament, using the technical name for the 2015 deal that eased sanctions in exchange for curbs to the country's nuclear program.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (C) after addressing the parliament in Tehran on August 15, 2017. /AFP Photo

"Standing up for the JCPOA means standing up to Iran's enemies," he said on the last day of debates over his cabinet selections.

Rouhani indicated a week ago that Iran was ready to walk out on the nuclear deal if the US continued to apply fresh sanctions.

It comes amid mounting pressure after Tehran carried out missile tests and Washington imposed new sanctions, with each side accusing the other of violating the spirit of the agreement.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (C) addresses the parliament in Tehran on August 15, 2017. /AFP Photo

But Rouhani has insisted the deal remains the preferred way forward, not least to help rebuild Iran's struggling economy and create jobs.

"The second responsibility of the foreign ministry... is to get involved in economic activities. It should help attract foreign investment and technology," Rouhani said.

He was addressing lawmakers ahead of votes of confidence over his ministerial choices.

CGTN Photo

Lawmakers finally gave votes of confidence to 16 ministers out of the 18-member cabinet proposed by Rouhani.

The nominee for the minister of power was rejected.

Rouhani had not introduced a candidate for the minister of sciences, researches and technology and will appoint a candidate for the post in the coming days.

Rouhani began his second term in office earlier this month after winning a resounding victory over a hardline challenger in May.

He has vowed to continue his outreach to the world and to improve civil liberties at home, but has been criticized by reformists for again failing to select a single female minister.

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Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency