Rouhani: Today’s major need hope in future, vitality

Addressing a gathering of artists and culture experts late on Saturday, he added that solidarity, like-mindedness and synergy have helped the government to leave behind major difficulties, including widespread sanctions and economic problems.

Reiterating that the government managed to clinch a landmark nuclear deal via marathon talks, he added, “Negotiation is both knowledge and art, as we should understand from the gesture, tone and available information what the opposing party asks us.'

Noting that the highest quality of the artists is creativity and describing the power of imagination as higher than thought and wisdom, Rouhani said that artists offer their artistic works to the society with this strange power.

Interaction with the world requires knowledge, science and art, he said, noting , “We managed to do away with the sanctions with the power of diplomacy in the first 100 days since the 11th government came to office.”

The 2015 nuclear deal completely changed economic conditions of the country, as it brought huge capitals and led to the inauguration of big projects in the country, including Setareh Khalij Fars Refinery which helped Iran attain self-sufficiency in the production of fuel, Rouhani said. 

“All the pumps needed to complete Setareh Khalij Fars were banned and all the contractor admitted that they did not build the refinery, but JCPOA did it,” he said.

In the wake of JCPOA, some 15 phases in South Pars were inaugurated, which was unprecedented in the history of the Iranian projects, Rouhani said.

“We have difficult conditions ahead but nevertheless Iran hopes in future, as we can remove the problems through unity, solidarity and planning,” he said.

Reiterating that Iran will never surrender to the enemy’s bullying, the top executive said, 'We favor logic and talks, but the opposing party’s claim to draw to negotiating table is empty and we are not ready to sit down for such talks even if all the world powers join together.'

Iranian nation boasts of logic and keen on talks and has the capability to do so, as it did with the world six powers in the JCPOA marathon talks, Rouhani said.