By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
TEHRAN, Iran-US President Barack Obama has informed Iranians that they “deserve better” and that a comprehensive agreement on the nuclear issue will help move Iran “along the new path that so many Iranians seek.”
In his address, Obama said, “A comprehensive agreement on the nuclear issue would help move Iran along the new path that so many Iranians seek.”
Obama remarked on Thursday in a message marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a day after the conclusion of the latest round of negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.
This is Obama’s first Nowruz address since talks began in earnest to reach a lasting settlement about Iran’s nuclear activities and the first since Hassan Rouhani was elected to the office of president.
Iran has denied developing the capability to produce atomic weapons. The US, the European Union and the United Nations have imposed sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to suspend enrichment and other sensitive atomic activities.
“But the economic hardship that so many Iranians have endured in recent years – because of the choices of Iranian leaders – has deprived your country and the world of the extraordinary skills and contributions you have to offer. And you deserve better.”
On Wednesday Catherine Ashton, the European Union foreign policy chief, and Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, told reporters in Vienna that they had held “substantive” and “useful” talks.
The P5+1, a group comprised of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the US, hope to honor the July deadline set in November for a long-term nuclear deal between the six powers and Iran.
Obama said: “If Iran meets its international obligations…It means more economic growth and jobs for Iranians…more opportunities for Iranian students…real diplomatic progress this year can help open up new possibilities and prosperity for the Iranian people for years to come.
That deadline was agreed as part of an interim deal, reached in November, under which Iran stopped some parts of its program in exchange for limited sanctions relief.
“That’s the message the Iranian people sent at the ballot box last year. I hope that the entire Iranian government hears that message too.”
A meeting between the P5+1 and Iran is set for April 7th in Vienna.
For more information, please see the following:
Aljazeera-Obama: Iranians ‘deserve better’ from leaders-20 March 2014
Daily Star-Obama calls on Iran to seize opportunity of nuke talks-20 March 2014
White House-Statement by President Obama on Nowruz-20 March 2014
Zee News-Obama calls on Iran to seize opportunity of nuclear talks-20 March 2014
