Iran’s Rohani hopes to open dialogue with the West, picks cabinet at inauguration
On Sunday, Iran’s seventh elected President was inaugurated and the 64-year-old moderate cleric extended a hand to all, including the West.
Image/CIA
“I want to end tensions, create mutual confidence and constructive interaction in order to determine our future path. I want to stress that Iran has never wanted to be at war with the world. We will focus all our efforts on keeping those who want war and trigger it on a tight reign,” President Hassan Rohani said.
“I want to restore hope to the Iranian people and fix the economy and get rid of these cruel sanctions,” the moderate cleric said in a speech.
Last week, the US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on a new round of sanctions to help cripple Iran’s economy, days before the Rohani inauguration.
This includes wanting dialogue with the United States. Reuters reported last month after the Iranian election, that Rohani was asked about whether he was prepared for direct talks with the US, he responded, “The issue of relations between Iran and America is a complicated and difficult issue.”
“It is an old wound that needs to be … healed,” he said.
He even invited dignitaries from the US and the EU to attend the inauguration.
The White House says Rohani will find a “willing partner in the United States” if he moves toward placating their many, many concerns.
In addition, Rohani selected his Cabinet on inauguration day, as promised. The 18 posts were selected and expected to complete the confirmation process very soon.
Key to Rohani’s cabinet and with new relations with the US is Mohammad Javad Zarif as his foreign minister.
Bloomberg reports that Zarif, 53, is a fluent English speaker who earned his doctorate at the University of Denver, is a former ambassador to the United Nations who has been involved in several secret negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over the past 20 years.
For more details on Rohani’s Cabinet picks, check out this post on LobeLog
“Rohani has appointed his A-team to do a deal with the U.S.,” said Flynt Leverett, professor of International Affairs at Penn State University and co-author of Going to Tehran. “It shows Iran is serious.”
