Iranian President Hassan Rohani
Qingdao … News Time
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has agreed with his Russian and Chinese counterparts to maintain the 2015 nuclear agreement after the United States announced its withdrawal. With observer status, Rouhani attended the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization that ended on Sunday in the eastern Chinese port city of Qingdao. The Iranian president told the SCO meeting that “US efforts to impose its policies on others are expanding as a threat to all.” He condemned the US for its withdrawal from the nuclear deal and its re-imposition of sanctions on Iran while urging other countries to put pressure on his country. Rouhani and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the importance of the nuclear deal when they met after the SCO meeting. Rouhani welcomed investments by Chinese firms in Iran’s energy and other sectors. On Saturday, Rouhani and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to strengthen economic cooperation between their 2 countries. Iran’s economy is facing difficulties as the US administration is set to re-impose sanctions and some European companies are considering leaving Iran. Rouhani is apparently aiming to counter the US pressure by aligning with China and Russia.
