Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a television interview, said his country is not seeking war but harshly criticized Israel for bringing «instability» to the Middle East and for questioning his government’s intentions toward nuclear arms.
The comments from the new Iranian president came during the second part of an interview with NBC News that aired today, just days before he travels to New York for an appearance at the United Nations.
Rouhani called Israel «an occupier, a usurper government that does injustice to the people of the region» and said it «has brought instability to the region with its war-mongering policies.»
But when asked further about Israel, Rouhani also said: «What we wish for in this region is rule by the will of the people. We believe in the ballot box. We do not seek war with any country. We seek peace and friendship among the nations of the region.»
In an earlier part of the interview that aired yesterday, Rouhani said Iran would never develop nuclear weapons and that he had «complete authority» to negotiate a nuclear deal with the United States and other Western powers.
Rouhani, who took office in August, reiterated that stance when asked about recent comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu questioning his motives. Israel, thought to be the only nuclear-armed power in the Middle East, is pushing to halt Iran’s nuclear advance, and Netanyahu has called Rouhani a «wolf in sheep’s clothing.»
«We have clearly stated that we are not in pursuit if nuclear weapons and will not be,» Rouhani told NBC.
The interview appears to be the latest signal by the centrist cleric – that has included a recent letter exchange with US President Barack Obama – aimed at improving relations between Iran and the West after years of hostility. Rouhani also appeared to signal support for the pro-democracy uprisings sweeping across the region.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald