Iran’s president-elect Hassan Rouhani gives his first press conference in Tehran. Photograph: Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

Iran‘s president-elect, Hassan Rouhani, whose sensational victory in Friday’s election prompted nationwide celebrations, has promised to reduce tensions with the west, show more transparency on its nuclear front and bring moderation back to the forefront of Iranian politics.

In his first press conference in Tehran, two days after being confirmed as the elected successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Rouhani presented himself as a moderate politician willing to “enhance mutual trust” between Tehran and the international community, including Britain and the US, and as the saviour of the Iranian economy by working to lift sanctions.

“We have to enhance mutual trust between Iran and other countries,” said Rouhani, nicknamed in the Iranian media as the diplomat sheikh and the sheikh of hope. “We have to build trust,” he said. Rouhani made clear that his government will pursue a “friendly relationship” with all its neighbours, including the Arab countries, in particular Saudi Arabia.

The press conference, held in Iran’s centre for strategic studies, an institution Rouhani has presided over for 22 years, was at times chaotic, as only a limited number of Iranian and foreign reporters in the packed room were given the chance to ask questions. The session, which lasted an hour and half, was broadcast live on national television.

In a sharp contrast to the outgoing president, Rouhani avoided issuing inflammatory statements against the west and instead promised improved relations. He outlined his priorities by saying: “Your government … will follow up national goals … in the path of saving the country’s economy, revive ethics and constructive interaction with the world through moderation.”

In regards to Iran’s nuclear programme – which the west suspects to have military dimensions, while Tehran insists it is entirely for peaceful purposes – Rouhani said his government would restore “mutual confidence” by promoting step-by-step measures in order to reassure the international community about Iranian ambitions.

“The first step will be showing greater transparency,” he said. “We are ready to show greater transparency and make clear that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s actions are totally within international frameworks.”

 

Comments

If the above is true, the newly elected President will have no problems in allowing IAEA officials into their nuclear facilities where the former President had stated in no uncertain terms that they would not stop their ambitions to become Nuclear. Neither will he continue his rhetoric about the sanctions on their country being “cruel”, with little snippets like this creeping out, and the fact that the new president says they have done nothing wrong according to international frameworks. This glaring inconsistency in relation to Iran’s long-held position to wipe Israel off the map flies in the face of the new presidents reported “moderate” stance.

This will be likely to become part of  their undoing in quick time if the new President does not stand fast against the Iranian regime’s customary distrust and hatred of the west, and the international community, including the United States of America, Britain, Canada, and especially, Israel.

Time will tell, but the proof for Iran truly desiring peace, and the new Presidents acid test will be to display a totally transparent Government in every aspect. A situation this writer suggests will unravel the thin facade of this “moderate” leader, and in the not too distant future, recommence the hostilities Iran is and has been renowned for. Iran has never proven to be moderates in the past, neither does the writer believe that will change anytime soon. For the time being, the words of moderation will ring out, but it may prove a hollow ring in the weeks and months ahead.

Keep watching, and filter the misinformation, both from mainstream media outlets, and Iran, as they say, time proves all men.