“What is happening in America and who will be elected do not concern us,” Rouhani told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. “Individuals and party [affiliations] do not matter to us, but it is rather the approach that the [next US] government adopts [that counts].”
The remarks came as vote counting is underway in the US to determine the winner of the tight 2020 presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden.
During his four-year presidency, Trump withdrew the US from a number of multilateral accords, among them the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Following its withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018, the US unleashed the so-called maximum pressure campaign against Iran and targeted the nation with the “toughest ever” economic sanctions.
“We want the US to return to the rule of law, all international and multilateral treaties, and respect the Iranian nation. We demand respect instead of sanctions,” Rouhani said.
The situation will change if the United States lifts the oppressive sanctions, sets threats aside, begins respecting Iran and fulfills its obligations under the JCPOA instead of reneging on commitments and breaking the law, Rouhani said.
“It is the principles, methods and policies that are important to us,” he said.
The Iranian chief executive also stressed that the Islamic Republic has, however, made plans based on the assumption that Washington’s manner will not return to the right path.
“If the Americans understand and learn the lesson that they have to change course, so much the better, otherwise we have already made our decisions based on how to run the country under difficult circumstances,” he said.
Insult to Prophet, terror in name of Islam both condemned
Elsewhere in his comments, Rouhani noted that those who are unfamiliar with Prophet Muhammad and make “incorrect statements” about Islam’s prophet and those who commit extremist acts come from the same roots.
“If someone seeks to take the life of a person and murder an individual at a temple or a university, this runs counter to his (Prophet Muhammad’s) teachings,” he said.
Attacking places of worship, schools and universities are against claims of supporting Prophet Muhammad, the president said. “They are all lying. They are not followers of Prophet Muhammad. That is not the Prophet’s way.”
Non-military solution to Karabakh conflict
Elsewhere, he pointed to the ongoing fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabkh region, expressing hope that the peace proposal drawn up by Iran’s Foreign Ministry will bear fruit and help end the conflict. “Of course, territorial integrity is the right of regional nations and the right of the Republic of Azerbaijan, but we want them to achieve their rights through civilian and non-military ways,” the president said.
Rouhani added that the Iranian Armed Forces have also been on alert to secure the country’s northwestern borders amid the war.