29 May, 2017
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he'll talk with his Iranian counterpart "at the right time" after elections in Iran saw moderate President Hassan Rouhani returned to power.
Iran, Russia and Turkey are now cooperating to restore ceasefire in order to create a calm situation for the people in Syria, he said. The construction of 400-kilovolt power line stretching from Iran to Armenia and further to Georgia will allow synchronizing the operation of the energy systems of these three countries and Russian Federation.
As punditsconsider the effects of Trump's address on Muslim countries all over the world, they are in agreement on one point; that Trump's shift toward a softer view of Islam, following years of decidedly impolitic criticism, will, at best, be met with a great deal of skepticism.
President Hassan Rouhani said that Saudis should know that terrorism is a big threat to the region and the world and there is no choice except moderation.
Greenblatt, ADL CEO, issued the following statement:"This election reminds us how little has changed in the Islamic Republic of Iran".
But conservative hard-liners, who also made their presence felt in the election, seem certain to step up their opposition, casting a shadow over the moderately conservative president's second term.
Mr Rouhani's powers are limited by those of unelected Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who can veto all policies and has ultimate control of the security forces.
"The Americans have used various methods, including sanctions, against Iran, but they have always been unsuccessful..."
Iran's effort to attract about $100 billion to develop more than 50 oil and natural gas fields bogged down ahead of the May 19 presidential election. Saudi Arabia immediately cut diplomatic ties and other Sunni Arab countries in the Gulf have taken a harder line on Iran since. "American officials should know that whenever we need to technically test a missile, we will do so and will not wait for their permission", Rouhani was quoted by the Iranian TV as saying. He added that "until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it, deny it funding for terrorism". That's not the case in many countries, such as Saudi Arabia, he went on. In order to ensure that Iran continues progressing toward global engagement - thereby protecting a nuclear agreement that Trump is not eager to defend - Rouhani's government will have to work hard to improve relations with neighboring countries.
"The gathering in Saudi Arabia was just a show with no practical or political value of any kind", Rouhani said at a press conference.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France is convinced that Iran under Rouhani will have "an important role in the pacification" of the region.
Conservative clerics were also angered by the fact that men and women danced together in the streets of Tehran following Rouhani's election victory, testing the country's strict segregation rules, Reuters reported.
