Special to WorldTribune.com
In the same nationally televised address on July 14 Iranian President Hassan Rowhani blasted Israel for attempting to derail the nuclear deal, then hailed the deal with Western powers as a “starting point” for building trust between the terror-sponsoring state and the world.
Rowhani declared Iran achieved all of it goals in the nuclear negotiations and slammed Israel’s “failed” attempts at what he claimed were efforts to undermine Teheran’s interests.
“Do not be deceived by the propaganda of the usurper Zionist regime,” Rouhani said. “The Zionist state has failed in its efforts.”
He also tweeted: “To our neighbors: Do not be deceived by the propaganda of the warmongering Zionist regime.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 14 said the deal was a “historic mistake.”
Rowhani said the deal was a “win-win agreement” and that “Iran will honor the agreement, if the other sides abide by it.”
While Iran’s leaders touted the political skill of its negotiators in engineering the deal, the country’s citizens were more hopeful the deal would allow Iran’s economy to rebound, jobs to open up and prices of necessities to go down after years of crippling economic sanctions.
“The textile factory where I worked for 15 years was closed last month after not being able to pay our wages for three months,” said Mohammad Seirafzadeh, 47, in the northern city of Sari. “I am a simple worker. I don’t understand the nuclear issue or politics. If the deal will help me to find a job and feed my children, then we should have it.”
Per capita gross domestic product in Iran dropped to $6,500 in 2013 from $12,000 in 2012, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Official unemployment remains high at 15 percent, and that figure does not include the huge number of jobs that pay less than a living wage.
“I am waiting for the deal to be signed and then I will buy things,” said Gholamali Hassani, owner of an electronics and appliance shop in the Shi’ite holy city of Qom. “I think prices will drop as soon as there is a deal … Business is waiting for a deal.”
Rowhani, predicted the nuclear agreement would be a “starting point” for trust between Teheran and the world. “Today, we are at an important juncture in the history of our country and our revolution and the situation in the region. A new page has been turned and a new chapter has begun.”
Some residents say the nuclear program is a matter of national pride, and sanctions spotlighted the West’s hostility and determination to subjugate Iranians.
“I don’t trust Americans and other Western governments,” said management student Moslem Aliyayi, 28, in the central city of Arak. “I am ready to sacrifice my life to protect our nuclear rights against enemies.”
Rowhani mocks Israel’s ‘failure’, hails nuclear deal as ‘new chapter’ for ‘our revolution’ added by World Tribune on
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