Azerbaijan, Baku, August 6 /Trend S. Isayev
If the other party is as determined as Iran is, regarding the nuclear talks, then the negotiations can be successful not in the long, but in the short run, Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said in presence of media outlets, Press TV reported live.
This is the first official press conference of Hassan Rouhani, since he was elected and inaugurated as the new president of Iran.
Speaking of the nuclear issue, Rouhani noted that Iran is seriously prepared for the negotiations. The president expressed hope that if the other side has the same approach, then "both sides can move through the negotiations in a short period of time".
"We needto be realistic, and deal with this realistically. We need to have negotiations without threats. Threats will only worsen the situation, and not solve anything. If others think they can pressure Iranian nation through threats - they're making a big mistake," Rouhani said.
"A solution to the nuclear issue needs a political will. So as president of Iran I say that the Islamic establishment is seriosly determined to resolve the nuclear issue, with, at the same time, the rights of people being preserved, and the interests of other side also being considered," he noted.
The U.S. and its Western allies suspect Iran of developing a nuclear weapon - something that Iran denies. The Islamic Republic has on numerous occasions stated that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, using nuclear energy for medical researches instead.
Answering a question about the direct talks between Iran and the US, Rouhani said that there still are a number of US officials who do not have the accurate understanding of the facts regarding the recent presidential elections in Iran, and the message sent by the Iranian nation.
"Unfortunately, there is this pressure group, a war-mongering group, which opposes the holding of constructive talks, and this group pursues the interests of a foreign country, from which they receive orders," Rouhani underscored.
"What counts, is a practical response from the US side. If there are any constructive, meaningful responses from the US, we will answer them accordingly," Rouhani said.
On 14 June 2013, Hassan Rouhani won the presidential elections in Iran, gathering over 50 percent of total votes.
Rouhani previously said that he will work towards the removal of western sanctions, adding that his government will adopt moderate policies and actions.
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