Iranian President Rouhani Warns That The Middle East Is One Blunder Away From War

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 25, 2019. (photo credit: REUTERS/LUCAS JACKSON)

DW: Iran's Hassan Rouhani: 'Single blunder can fuel big fire in Persian Gulf'

The Iranian president has accused the US of "merciless economic terrorism." In his speech at the UN General Assembly, he also urged the regional countries to fix their own problems instead of seeking foreign help.

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ruled out negotiations with the US as long as economic sanctions against his country are in place.

"I would like to announce that our response to any negotiation under sanctions is negative," Rouhani said, adding that the US must lift the sanctions to pave the way for meaningful negotiations on a nuclear deal.

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Update #1: Amid U.S. tensions, Iran's Rouhani warns 'a single blunder can fuel a big fire' -- Reuters
Update #2: Rouhani: Middle East one blunder away from war -- Jerusalem Post

WNU Editor: This Israeli General believes it is only a matter of time before Iran decides to launch a military strike against Israel .... Israel general warns it is approaching ‘level of war’ with Iran as tensions rage (Daily Star).

Iranian President Rouhani Heads To The UN To Win Support Against The U.S.

VOA: Rouhani: US 'Maximum Pressure' Campaign a Failure

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign has failed, and that sanctions it imposed after abandoning the 2015 agreement on Iran's nuclear program show the United States is desperate.

Speaking before traveling to New York to participate the annual United Nations General Assembly meetings, Rouhani also said the United States and Saudi Arabia have exaggerated the damage done by an attack on Saudi oil facilities earlier this month.

Rouhani accused the Trump administration of wanting to take control of the region. He said earlier his plans for the U.N. meetings include presenting a regional cooperation plan for peace.

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More News On Iranian President Rouhani Heading To The UN To Win Support Against The U.S.

Rouhani says Iran resists sanctions, drives U.S. "desperate" -- Reuters
Iran to present regional security plan at UNGA: Rouhani -- Al Jazeera
Rouhani heads to UN in bid to win Iran support against 'cruel' US -- AFP
Rouhani prepares for role of a lifetime at UN -- Jerusalem Post

Iran President: War With Iran Is The Mother Of All Wars

Reuters: War with Iran is the mother of all wars: Iran president

GENEVA (Reuters) - War with Iran is the mother of all wars, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday in a speech broadcast live on state TV, warning once again that shipping might not be safe in the Strait of Hormuz oil waterway.

Tensions have risen between Iran and the West since last year when the United States pulled out of an international agreement which curbed the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program in return for an easing of economic sanctions on Iran.

“Peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, war with Iran is the mother of all wars,” Rouhani said at the Foreign Ministry in a speech which also praised Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif after the United States imposed sanctions on him on July 31.

If the United States wants to have negotiations with Iran then it must lift all sanctions, Rouhani said, noting that Iran must be allowed to export oil.

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WNU Editor: Iranian President Rouhani has also laid down his conditions for talks .... Rouhani says Iran favours talks but US must lift sanctions (AFP).

More News On Iran President Rouhani's Remarks That "War With Iran Is The Mother Of All Wars"

Rouhani says war with Iran will be ‘mother of all wars’ and peace ‘mother of all peace’ -- Tehran Times
Rouhani warns war with Iran would be 'mother of all wars' -- The Hill
Rouhani: 'War with Iran will be the mother of all wars' -- Arutz Sheva
Rouhani warns war with Iran will be ‘mother of all wars,’ calls for peace -- Times of Israel
‘Mother of all wars… mother of all peace’: Did Iran’s Rouhani just troll Trump? -- RT

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Will Not Meet President Trump At The U.N. This Week

NBC: Citing U.S. sanctions, Iranian president says he has no plans to meet Trump

Rouhani said Iran plans to stay in the nuclear deal — for now — despite U.S. withdrawal and sanctions.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani told NBC News Monday that he had no plans to meet President Donald Trump during his visit to New York, saying the United States had employed only threats and sanctions against his country.

"There is no such program for a meeting," Rouhani said in an exclusive interview with "NBC Nightly News" anchor Lester Holt, saying conditions were not ripe for talks.

Rouhani, in New York for the annual U.N. General Assembly session, accused the U.S. of adopting a hostile stance toward Iran and turning its back on diplomacy after its unilateral withdrawal from a nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.

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WNU Editor: The Iranians are missing out on an opportunity to defuse tensions, preferring instead the sanctions and the consequences that it will entail. I personally believe this will be seen as a strategic mistake in a year or two.

Iran's President Censured By Parliament. Economy Minister Has Been Impeached

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a parliamentary session in Tehran, Iran August 28, 2018. President Official Website/Handout via REUTERS

Reuters: Iran parliament censures Rouhani in sign pragmatists losing sway

Iran’s parliament voted on Tuesday to reject President Hassan Rouhani’s explanations for economic hardship after a dramatic grilling on live TV, a sign his pragmatic faction is losing sway to hardline rivals as new U.S. sanctions begin to bite.

The vote in parliament came two days after lawmakers sacked the minister of economy and finance and weeks after they sacked the labor minister, blaming them for the collapse of the rial currency and surging inflation.

Rouhani won two landslide elections on a platform of economic reform and opening Iran up to the outside world, and his pragmatic supporters have a majority in the parliament. But his reputation and political influence have taken a sharp hit as his promised economic gains have failed to materialize.

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WNU Editor: The mullahs and their allies are looking for a scapegoats. This is Rouhani's response .... Rouhani: Iran citizens 'lost faith in Islamic republic' (DW).

More News On Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s Growing Political Problems

Rouhani under pressure as Iranian MPs reject his reassurances on economy -- The Telegraph
Iran's Rouhani questioned in parliament -- Al Jazeera
Iran's Rouhani under attack from all sides -- AFP
Iran's Legislature Grills Embattled Rouhani on Economic Policy -- Bloomberg
Iran’s finance minister impeached as sanctions bite -- Asia Times
Iran lawmakers fire finance minister as economic woes mount -- Los Angeles Times
Rouhani’s economy minister impeached -- Al-Monitor

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani: Iran Would Remain Committed To The 2015 Nuclear Deal If Its Interests Are Protected

Reuters: Rouhani says Iran may remain part of nuclear accord

DUBAI (Reuters) - President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that Iran would remain committed to the 2015 nuclear deal if its interests were protected, while his foreign minister hoped the pact could be redesigned without Washington as a member.

The U.S. withdrawal from the accord on Tuesday was a “violation of morals”, Rouhani said in remarks carried by state television.

“If the remaining five countries continue to abide by the agreement, Iran will remain in the deal despite the will of America,” he said.

President Donald Trump’s pullout has upset European allies, cast uncertainty over global oil supplies and raised the risk of conflict in the Middle East.

It has also highlighted divisions among Iran’s political elite.

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WNU Editor: I am sure the other countries that agreed to the nuclear deal in 2015 will stay on .... but most international businesses and banks are going to walk away. And that is the problem .... for Iran to grow it needs open and easy access to the world economy and its banking system .... something that will not be possible if the U.S. imposes sanctions. There is now a 6 month window before these new U.S. sanctions are imposed .... Iran has options, but they will run out by the end of the year.

More News On Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Remarks That Iran Would Remain Committed To The 2015 Nuclear Deal If Its Interests Are Protected

Rouhani: Nuclear deal to be preserved if remaining parties give ‘guarantees’ -- Tehran Times
Iran may remain part of nuclear accord - Rouhani -- RTE
Rouhani: Iran will stay in nuclear deal if other countries abide by it -- The Hill
Iran's President Rouhani seeks to preserve nuclear agreement with Europe -- FOX News
Iran nuclear deal: Envoy starts diplomatic tour after US withdrawal -- BBC
Iran seeks 'clear future design' for imperilled nuclear deal -- Al Jazeera
Rouhani says Iran to remain in nuke deal if interests secured -- Xinhuanet

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Condemns President Trump

Washington Post: Iranian president rips into Trump as a ‘rogue newcomer’ to world politics

NEW YORK — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani blasted President Trump on Wednesday for his “ignorant, absurd and hateful” speech before the United Nations a day earlier and vowed Iran would not be the first to walk away from the historic 2015 nuclear deal.

Rouhani, during a 23-minute address at the U.N. General Assembly, never mentioned Trump by name. Instead he referred to him obliquely, at one point saying it would be a pity if the nuclear deal were undone by “rogue newcomers to the world of politics.”

Rouhani denied that Iran had ever sought to obtain nuclear weapons and said the ballistic missiles it has been testing would be used only for defensive purposes.

“Iran does not seek to restore its ancient empire, impose its official religion on others or export its revolution through the force of arms,” he said.

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More News On Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Condemning President Trump

Iran's Rouhani pushes back on Trump -- CNN
Iran says it will not be the first to violate nuclear deal -- Reuters
Iranian President Hassan Rowhani condemns ‘ignorant, absurd and hateful’ Trump at UN -- SCMP/AP
Iran defends nuclear deal, warns Trump to respect it -- AFP
Iranian president Rouhani condemns 'ignorant, absurd, hateful' Trump speech -- The Guardian

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Is Sworn In for A Second Term

BBC: Iran nuclear deal: Rouhani warns US against 'political suicide'

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned US President Donald Trump he risks political suicide if he scraps the nuclear deal with Tehran.

At his swearing-in ceremony, Mr Rouhani said Iran would continue to abide by the terms of the deal as long as the other signatories do the same.

The White House says Iran is complying with the deal but Mr Trump says Iran is violating its spirit.

Last month the US state department announced new sanctions on the country.

The US says the sanctions relate to Iran's missile programme and alleged support for terror groups but Tehran says they violate the nuclear deal.

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More News On Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Being Sworn In for A Second Term

Iran's Rouhani, embarking on second term, accuses Trump over nuclear deal -- Reuters
Iran vows 'unified' response to breach of nuclear deal -- FOX News/AP
At inauguration Hassan Rouhani urges more talks -- Al Jazeera
Iranian president calls for EU support on nuclear deal -- Politico
Four more years: Trump just latest challenge for Rouhani -- DW
Rouhani faces growing threats as he begins a second term as Iran's president -- L.A. Times

The Brother Of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Has Been Arrested Over Corruption Charges

Photo: Hossein Fereidoun Rohani, brother of Iranian President Hassan Rohani (file photo)

BBC: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's brother detained

The brother of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Hossein Ferydoun, has been detained, a judiciary spokesman says.

Mr Ferydoun failed to meet the bail terms on unspecified financial issues and was taken to prison.

He has previously been linked to officials at the centre of a scandal involving inflated salaries for managers at the state insurance firm. He has always denied any wrongdoing.

The saga has dogged President Rouhani for more than a year.

The judiciary spokesman, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejeie, said: "Multiple investigations have been conducted regarding this person [Mr Ferydoun], also other people have been investigated, some of whom are in jail.

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Update #1: Brother Of Iranian President Arrested On Financial Crimes Charges (RFE)
Update #2: Iranian President's Brother Detained - Judiciary Spokesman (Sputnik)

WNU editor: He apparently violated his bail conditions. But this story is happening in Iran .... and when these things are done in Iran there is usually a bigger story behind it.

Iran Accuses President Trump Of 'Iranophobia'

ABC News Online: Donald Trump accused of 'Iranophobia' as he lands in Israel

Iran has accused the United States of selling arms to "dangerous terrorists" in the Middle East and of spreading "Iranophobia", following US President Donald Trump's visit to Tehran's arch-foe Saudi Arabia as part of his maiden overseas trip as President.

Mr Trump signed arms deals worth almost $US110 billion during his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. He has since arrived in Israel, for separate meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Sending a tough message to Tehran shortly after pragmatist Hassan Rouhani was re-elected president, Mr Trump had urged Arab and Islamic leaders to unite to defeat Islamist militants, and said Iran had for decades "fuelled the fires of sectarian conflict and terrors".

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WNU Editor: President Trump's remarks are already being used by Iranian hardliners as ammo against the just elected President Rhouhani .... Iran's Hardliners Use Trump's Speech on Islam as Excuse to Hammer Rouhani (Time).

More News On Iran Accusing The United States Of Selling Arms To "Dangerous Terrorists" And Of Spreading "Iranophobia"

Iran accused the US of spreading 'Iranophobia' and arming 'dangerous terrorists' -- Reuters
Iran laughably rips Trump for spreading ‘Iranophobia’ -- Washington Times
Iran’s President Mocks Trump’s Visit to Saudi Arabia as ‘Just a Show’ -- NYT
US stirring up ‘Iranophobia’ to boost arms sales to Arab nations – Tehran -- RT
Iran President Hassan Rouhani blasts Trump's Saudi summit -- DW
Rouhani dismisses Trump warning over Iran 'threat' -- BBC
Iran calls Trump's Saudi visit 'theatrical' -- CNN
Iran's Rouhani: We will not wait for US's permission to test ballistic missiles -- FOX News
Rouhani says regional stability impossible without Iran -- Reuters
Iranian president calls US relations 'a curvy road' -- AP

Iranian President: Iran Needs "No One's Permission" To Build Missiles

Reuters: Rouhani says Iran needs "no one's permission" to build missiles

Iran will ask "no one's permission" to build up its missile capability, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, in what appeared to be a defiant response to U.S. efforts to hamper the Iranian military.

Facing an election in May where he hopes to secure a second four-year term, Rouhani has had to defend himself from opponents who say he has been too eager to appease the West, after agreeing to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the nuclear deal and said during his election campaign he would stop Iran's missile program. After Iran test-fired a new ballistic missile in January, Trump tweeted that it was "playing with fire".

Addressing an event showcasing some locally built military hardware, broadcast on state TV, Rouhani said: "The strengthening of the capability of the Iranian armed forces ... is only for defending the country and we will ask no one's permission to build up the armed forces, and to build missiles and aircraft."

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Update #1: Rouhani: Iran needs no one’s permission to build missile (Tehran Times)
Update #2: Iran says it will seek 'no one's permission' to build up military (FOX News)

WNU Editor: He is running for re-election, and he is facing tough opposition from this hard-line conservative candidate .... Leading Iranian Cleric Enters Election in Threat to Rouhani (Bloomberg).

Update #3: Iran elections: top candidates (AFP)

Iran's President: 'It's Up To Muslims To Correct Islam's Image And To Unite Against Israel'

Reuters: Iran's Rouhani says it's up to Muslims to correct Islam's image

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that Muslims must improve the image of their religion, which has been tarnished by the violence of hardline groups such as Islamic State,

"It is our greatest duty today to correct the image of Islam in world public opinion," Rouhani told a conference on Islamic unity in Tehran in a speech broadcast by state television.

His remarks were rare for a leader of Iran, which considers itself an authority in the Islamic world and often blames the "enemies" of the religion for problems in the Middle East.

WNU Editor: He also advised that all Muslims must unite against their common enemy .... Iran’s Rouhani: Muslims need to unite against Israel (Times of Israel), as well as condemning Saudi Arabia .... Iran Accuses Saudi of Promoting Poverty, Terrorism (VOA).

More News On Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's Comments On Muslims And Israel

Rouhani says Muslim states should fix Islam's public image -- AFP
Iran's Rouhani urges Muslims to fix Islam's global image -- BBC
After 2015 ISIS Terror Attacks Worldwide, Iran's Rouhani Urges Muslim Countries To Revamp Islam's Image -- IBTimes
Rouhani urges Muslim countries to unite for the sake of Islam -- Al Bawaba/Euronews
Rouhani calls on Muslims to ‘correct image of Islam’ worldwide -- RT
Syria’s destruction pleases ‘common enemy’ Israel, says Rouhani -- Times of Israel/AP

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani On 60 Minutes

CBS 60 Minutes: President Rouhani

The Iranian president speaks with Steve Kroft about the historic nuclear deal and whether the U.S. and Iran can move past years of mistrust

Few issues have inspired more vitriol this summer than the historic agreement between Iran and six world powers: the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. The deal drastically curtails Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

Depending on where you stand politically, it's either a triumph of global diplomacy, the best available solution or a blunder of epic proportions. Over the past few months, nearly everyone has weighed in from President Obama and the Congress, to Republican and Democratic presidential candidates to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But not much has been heard from the Iranians.

More News On Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Interview On 60 Minutes

More of 60 Minutes' interview with Iran's president -- CBS 60 Minutes
Covering Iran from the ground up -- 60 Minutes CBS
Iran's Rouhani says U.S.-Iran enmity eased, but distrust will remain -- Reuters
Iran's Rouhani greets nuclear deal as key site comes under inspection -- Deutsche Welle
'First Step Toward Trust’: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Talks About Relations With US -- IBTimes
We Never Wished Death to America, Reveals Iran's Rouhani -- Sputnik
Iran's President Rouhani insists Iranians support the nuclear deal -- AFP
Iran's Rouhani Doesn't Rule Out Prisoner Swap for U.S. Reporter -- Bloomberg
Iran’s Rouhani defends the nuke deal -- NYPost

Iran President Vows To Back Syria 'Until The End Of The Road'

Times of Israel: We’re committed to Syria, says Rouhani

Iran will support Syrian President Bashar Assad “all the way to the end,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted as saying by news agencies in the Islamic Republic.

“The Iranian nation and government will stand by the Syrian nation and government to the end of the crisis,” Rouhani tells Syrian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Jihad al-Laham. “Tehran does not forget its moral commitment to Syria and will continue providing support and assistance on its own terms to the Syrian nation and government,” he says.

Stressing that terrorists could never succeed in their plots against Syria, Rouhani expressed regret that some regional countries suffered from a “huge miscalculation” in thinking they could use terrorists as a tool for their own purposes, the IRNA news agency reports.

More News On Iran Committing Its Support To The Syrian Regime

Iran's Rouhani vows to back Syria 'until the end of the road' -- Reuters
Iran's Rouhani says Arabs, West miscalculated in Syria -- AFP
Iran's Rouhani vows to back Syria "until the end of the road" -- Zawya
Iran President Rouhani: Arabs, West Miscalculated in Syria -- Al-Manar
IRAN: Hassan Rouhani pledges to stand ”till the end” with Syrian regime -- NCRI
Iran Continues ‘Unwavering’ Support for Assad Regime -- Breitbart
Iran fully supporting Syria resistance: Larijani -- Press TV (Iran)
Iran to Continue Backing Syrian Nation, Government: Rouhani -- Tasnim Agency

Iran's President Blames The West And 'Certain Intelligence Agencies' For The Rise Of The Islamic State

Iran Blames Outside Influences For Rise Of Islamic State -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Iran President Hassan Rouhani blamed the rise of the Islamic State group and other militants on "certain intelligence agencies" but also said the solution to stopping them must come from the Middle East region itself.

"The extremists of the world have found each other and have put out the call, 'extremists of the world unite'. But are we united against the extremists?" Rouhani asked in a speech to the 193-member United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.

The comments are among the strongest yet by predominantly Shi'ite Iran on the meteoric rise of the Sunni militant group and suggest arch-foes Iran and the United States have a shared interest in confronting the threat after decades of enmity.

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More News On Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's Address At The U.N.

Iran's Leader Blames Outside Meddling for Islamic State's Existence -- New York Times
Rouhani blames rise in extremism on West's 'blunders' -- BBC
Iran’s Rouhani blames ‘certain intelligence agencies’ for rise of global extremism -- RT
Hassan Rouhani UN Speech: Iranian President Blames West For Middle East Extremism During United Nations Assembly -- IBTimes
Iran’s Rouhani blames rise of Isis on western meddling in Middle East -- The Guardian
Iran's Rouhani Blames West for Spread of Extremisn in Middle East -- RIA Novosti
Rouhani Blames the West for Rise of Islamic State, Demands Apology -- NRO
Rouhani blames West for Middle East 'strategic blunders' -- Deutsche Welle
Iranian President Rouhani Criticizes U.S. Airstrikes Against ISIS -- Time
Iran’s president appeals for ‘united’ world against extremism in name of Islam -- Washington Post
Iran’s President Rouhani: Extremists want to destroy civilization -- Washington Times
Rouhani warns over Free Syria Army -- CNN
Iran Says the West Should Step Aside in the Fight Against ISIL -- Defense One/National Journal
Rouhani: We have 'historic opportunity' on nuclear negotiations -- CNN
Iran’s President Vows Honest Dialogue in Nuclear Talks -- VOA
Iran Says Ready for 'Good Faith' Nuclear Deal with West -- RIA Novsoti
Tehran determined to go ahead with nuclear program, including uranium enrichment — Rouhani -- ITAR-TASS
Iran President: Nuclear Deal Could Aid Extremism Fight. -- Wall Street Journal

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani: Refers To Israel As A “Festering Zionist Tumor”

Iran's President Hassan Rohani speaks during an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations and the Asia Society in New York September 26, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Keith Bedford

Rouhani: ‘This Festering Zionist Tumor Has Opened Once Again’ -- Washington Free Beacon

Iranian president adopts violent rhetoric towards Israel

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani lashed out at Israel in vitriolic terms on Wednesday, referring to Israel as a “festering Zionist tumor.”

Rouhani, who has been championed by Western media as a moderate reformer who could change Iran’s extremist ways, appears to be adopting a violent tone similar to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has advocated for the complete destruction of Israel in recent days.

“Today, this festering Zionist tumor has opened once again and has turned the land of olives into destruction and blood and littered the land with the body parts of Palestinian children,” Rouhani was quoted as saying in a statement that was translated by the Brookings Institution.

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Update: Iran’s Rouhani: Israel, Islamic State are ‘tumors derived from the same origin’ -- Washington Times

My Comment: And this is the person that the U.S. thinks it can do a nuclear deal with?

Iranian President Rouhani Tweets A Picture Of Himself While Watching The World Cup

Proud of our boys who secured our first point--hopefully the first of many more to come. #WorldCup2014 #TeamMelli pic.twitter.com/9pzyT1Dr3f
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) June 16, 2014

Iranian President Tweets World Cup Chillout Pic -- The Guardian

Rare glimpse of an off-duty Hassan Rouhani cheering on his team against Nigeria, in a tracksuit with a cup of tea.

It's 11.30pm Tehran time and Hassan Rouhani is relaxing at home, watching the World Cup match between Iran and Nigeria.

His usual dark clerical robe (aba) is discarded, his white turban (ammameh) put aside, he sits in a tight-fitting Iranian team shirt (unbuttoned), bare arms on show, and tracksuit pants on his sofa watching a widescreen TV.

There's no bottle of beer, but a cup of Persian tea and a plate of fruit in front of him. It's clearly carefully posed – too good to be an spontaneous picture – but still, quite remarkable for a 65-year-old Iranian cleric.

"Proud of our boys who secured our first point – hopefully the first of many more to come," the president tweeted, referring to the goalless draw in Curitiba, along with the photo – retweeted at least 3,000 times. Rouhani has 213,000 Twitter followers.

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My Comment: No beer, pizza, snacks, having friends over to watch the game .... talk about a depressing tweet.