Iran Nuclear Deal Sealed: Prayers Answered in Holy Month of Ramadan, Says President Hassan Rouhani

1. MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM HAD ADVOCATED THE PRINCIPLE OF “YES TO ENERGY, NO TO ARMS” SEVERAL YEARS AGO

Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th hereditary Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims Photo: AKDN/Anya Campbell. Copyright.

“We are a long way from the democratization of nuclear energy. Maybe I’m naïve but I advocate another approach, which I call “positive proliferation.” The positive proliferation that I would dearly love to see happen is based on a simple principle: yes to energy, no to arms….Iran could even contribute to the worldwide removal of nuclear energy for military use. That is what I told the Iranians several years ago: “Your history is that of an intellectual nation several thousand years old which has brought to Islam all the richness of its culture and its philosophical thought. Keep following the path that is truly your own and the world will thank you for it.” — His Highness the Aga Khan. Please read complete interview by clicking on The Power of Wisdom.

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2. TRIUMPH IN DIPLOMACY

I. President Hassan Rouhani

“Today is a new chapter to work towards growth and development of our dear Iran; a day for our youth to dream again for a brighter future. Many people prayed for the negotiating team during the holy month of Ramadan; I’m privileged to announce their prayers have been answered…This agreement goes both ways. The successful implements of IranDeal can dismantle the wall of mistrust brick by brick.” — Tweets by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran

“I am happy that with the 23-month nuclear talks of Iran with the world six major powers, we have today been able to reach a new point; of course the month of Ramadan has always been source of blessing and destiny making for the 11th Government…The 25th of the month of Ramadhan in the year 1392 [A.H.] was the year of taking presidential oath; the 26th of the month of Ramadhan that year was the swearing-in ceremony and today, it is the day of Iran’s success to bring the six world powers to the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action.” — Speech Excerpt, President Rouhani, http://www.president.ir/en/

II. The Guardian, UK

“This accord, so long in the making, offers the hope that one of the world’s great civilisations might be drawn back into the international community, with untold benefits not only for Iranians but for its conflict-ravaged neighbours. The opportunity should be seized.” — Editorial excerpt, http://www.theguardian.com, UK Edition

3. THE NEGOTIATIONS

US Secretary of State

“And I finally want to express my deep respect for the serious and constructive approach that Iran’s representatives brought to our deliberations. The president of Iran, President Rouhani, had to make a difficult decision. We all know the tensions that exist. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, a tough, capable negotiator, and patriot, a man who fought every inch of the way for the things he believed, and sometimes these were heated and passionate exchanges. But he and his team, while tough, always professional, always dedicated to finding solutions to difficult problems. And we were, both of us, able to approach these negotiations with mutual respect, even when there were times of a heated discussion, I think he would agree with me at the end of every meeting we left with a smile and with a conviction that we were going to come back and continue the process. We never lost sight of the goal that an agreement could bring and the best long-term interests of all concerned” — US Secretary of State, John Kerry

4. IRANIANS CELEBRATE HISTORIC DEAL

Horns honked and flags waved here as darkness fell Tuesday and the Ramadan fast was broken as Iranians marked the nuclear deal reached between Iran and the six world powers led by the US. For the first time in years, they relished the prospect of an improved economy and reengagement with the West.

Narjes Sedaghatfar, a math teacher who voted for Rouhani but has kept expectations in check until now said, “The button has been pressed, we are beginning anew. I will be at home, and just be happy and plan for a happy future. When hope rises, that is celebration in itself.” — From reports in the Christian Science Monitor, http://www.csmonitor.com.