Rouhani rejects “outdated” demands on Iran’s nuclear program

At his first news conference, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday: “We are ready to engage in serious and substantive talks with the other side [on Iran’s nuclear program]. Both sides’ concerns could be resolved in a short time.” He rejected any demands that he called “illogical and outdated,” adding “We should deal with the issue through a realistic approach” – by talks, not threats. With regard to new sanctions, Rouhani said the US still does not have a proper understanding of what was happening in Iran and had not responded in an “appropriate and practical” manner to its presidential election. DEBKAfile: The new president’s overriding priority is getting rid of the sanctions crippling the Iranian economy without giving ground on its nuclear aspirations.