Iran: Next US administration will 'surrender' to Iran
"It does not matter what the outcome of the US election is tonight or tomorrow... the future US administration will succumb to the will of the Iranian people."
By SETH J. FRANTZMANIranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at a news conference on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US, September 26, 2019(photo credit: REUTERS/BRENDAN MCDERMID)
Iran’s regime thinks the next US administration will “surrender” to them and return to the Iran deal, according to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. In a speech on Thursday about the Islamic Republic’s successes in improving its water infrastructure, he slammed the US.“The gentleman in the White House ruthlessly increased sanctions,” Rouhani said, referring to US President Donald Trump. This was an “economic war” that harmed Iran during the COVID-19 crisis, he said.“They [the US] did not adhere to any principles: neither human-rights principles nor international law,” Rouhani said. “At the same time, I am confident that the Iranian nation will eventually win. It does not matter what the outcome of the US election is tonight or tomorrow, and whose power is in anyone’s hands. There is no doubt that the future US administration will succumb to the will of the Iranian people.”“They have no choice but to surrender to the law, order and pressure of public opinion and to the patience and resistance of this great nation,” he said.Rouhani praised Iran for steadfastness in the face of the pandemic, saying it could withstand any hardship.The Iranian currency, under pressure due to the US sanctions, appears to be strengthening in the hope that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden will win. Biden’s team has hinted it could return to the 2015 Iran deal or at least reverse some of Trump’s “maximum pressure” on Tehran.Referring to the infrastructure projects, Rouhani said: “The opening of these projects is a clear reason that our nation does not stand and does not bend its knees.” Iran plans to move water from the Persian Gulf to desert areas. He praised the engineers who helped revive Lake Urmia and who worked on the water projects.Rouhani slammed those who felt it was wise to boycott Iran, saying its self-sufficiency and development in the face of adversity showcases its ability. Tehran had been under sanctions for many years, but many of them have been relaxed due to the Iran deal. The UN arms embargo against it was recently lifted.Regarding environmental concerns, Rouhani said the new water transmission methods would not harm the environment. Iran now has some 70 desalination facilities, he said. He pointed to Bandar Abbas Port as a place where desalination has succeeded.There is a “huge project” to move oil to the small port town of Jask, about 1,700 km. south of Tehran, which will be completed next year, Rouhani said.
