Khamenei Responds to Rouhani Letter

January 19, 2016
On January 19, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei thanked President Hassan Rouhani and his negotiating team for protecting Iran’s interests while progressing on the nuclear issue. In a written response to a letter sent by Rouhani, Khamenei cited resistance and struggle against the West as key to the success of the nuclear agreement. Khamenei also emphasized that the “deception and breaching of commitments by arrogant states, particularly the United States of America, should not be ignored in this case or any other issue.” 

In a January 20 meeting with election officials, Khamenei said that the United States is deceitful. He said that Iranian officials should “retaliate” if the nuclear deal is breached. The following is the full text of his letter to Rouhani and excerpted remarks from his meeting with officials. 
 
Dear Dr. Rouhani, the Respected President
 
Greetings and felicitations,
 
I express my delight that the resistance of the great nation of Iran against the brutal sanctions and the endeavors of our nuclear scientists for the progress of the nuclear industry as well as the indefatigable attempts of the negotiators eventually forced the other side- some of whom are famous for animosity against the Iranian nation- to retreat and lift a part of the bullying sanctions. I thank you and the negotiating team as well as the respected [foreign] minister and all stakeholders. I hereby draw your attention to a few points:
 
First: Care should be taken that the other side fully abide by their commitments. Remarks made by some American politicians over the past few days are a source of mistrust. 
 
Second: All government officials should be notified that solving the economic problems of the country is tied to perpetual and wisely designed efforts at all sectors in line with the economy of resistance; moreover the lifting of the sanctions alone is not enough for boosting the country’s economy and people’s livelihood.  
 
Third: In public relations, it should be considered that for what has been gained over this deal, heavy prices have been paid.  Written and oral remarks which try to ignore this fact and display themselves as indebted to the Western side are not honest with the public opinion. 
Fourth: The achievement gained so far is also a result of resistance and struggle against the arrogant front. We should all consider it a great lesson for every other affairs and events in the Islamic Republic. 
 
Fifth: I emphasize once again that the deception and breaching of commitments by arrogant states particularly the United States of America should not be ignored in this case or any other issue.
 
I pray to the Almighty God for your and other officials’ success. 
 
Sayyid Ali Khamenei

 

Remarks from January 20 meeting with election officials