Rouhani: Continued Anti-Iran Sanctions Detrimental to EU

In a meeting with the new Belgian ambassador to Tehran Francois Delhaye, President Rouhani slammed anti-Iran sanctions as "cruel", saying they have harmed the interests of all parties, the EU in particular.

“The flimsy excuses that have led to the imposition of cruel sanctions against Iran should not harm those countries which had desirable (economic) ties (with Iran) over the past years,” he said.

However, the Iranian president said the development of trade can never be stopped in the world and "the obstacles can only change its direction.”

He also expressed the hope that after reaching a comprehensive nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, the cooperation between Iran and the EU member states, particularly Belgium, would be boosted.

“If the negotiating parties show serious will, a comprehensive agreement can be reached in the remaining time, which would be a win-win result for both sides,” Rouhani said.

During the meeting the Belgian ambassador submitted his credentials to the Iranian president.

Delhaye, for his part, described Tehran-Brussels relations as age-old and said his country is seeking to promote bilateral cooperation with the Islamic Republic.

He also expressed optimism that Iran’s nuclear issue would be resolved soon.

Iran and the six powers are in talks to iron out differences and secure an agreement that would end the West’s 12-year-old standoff on Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.

On November 24, 2013, Iran and the G5+1 signed an interim nuclear deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.

Based on the interim deal, the world powers agreed to suspend some non-essential sanctions and impose no new nuclear-related bans in return for Tehran’s decision to freeze parts of its nuclear activities.

In July, Tehran and the six countries agreed to extend negotiations until November 24 in the hope of clinching a final deal.