Tehran [Iran], August 15: Former Iranian president Hassan Rouhani criticised his government's Middle East strategy on Thursday in comments published by the news website Entekhab.
"If sympathy for Muslims and the region ends in disaster for the Iranian people, then that is wrong and not right," he was quoted as saying.
The 76-year-old was referring to the Islamic Republic's political and military course in the Middle East. Rouhani was president of Iran from 2013 to 2021. The former president is considered part of the reformist camp and is one of the more moderate voices in Iran. His camp also advocates negotiations with the West, and in particular with the United States, over the dispute surrounding Iran's nuclear programme.
Under Rouhani's government, the Vienna nuclear deal was sealed in 2015, which was intended to restrict Iran's nuclear programme. Trump unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018.
"Politically, we must take steps forward, and we must also take steps forward in foreign policy," the cleric said.
Rouhani explained that other Muslims in the region must be helped. However, he added that this also had limits. "We must think first and foremost of our own people." (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune