Iran's president tells home crowd nuclear deal means 'surrender' of Western powers
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE- In this Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006 file photo, an aerial view of a heavy-water production plant in the central Iranian town of Arak. Iran's reformers and moderate conservatives welcomed an agreement between Iran and six world powers on how to implement a nuclear deal struck in November, saying it will shore up Iran's sanctions-hit economy but hardliners still remain opposed. The six-nation group - the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany - and Iran have agreed to start implementing the terms of the historic interim deal from Jan. 20. That will start a six-month clock for a final deal to be struck over the Islamic Republic's contested nuclear program. (AP Photo/ ISNA, Arash Khamoushi, File) (The Associated Press)
President Hassan Rouhani has praised a landmark nuclear deal struck in Geneva as his country's victory, telling a home crowd it effectively means the "surrender" of Western powers to Iranian demands.
The remarks were part of the moderate Rouhani's efforts to bring around hard-liners who claim the deal tramples on Iran's enrichment rights.
Last week, the six-nation group — the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany — and Iran agreed to start implementing the terms of the November deal later this month.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Under the deal, Iran agreed to cap its uranium enrichment in return for some relief from Western economic sanctions.
Speaking Tuesday in the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, Rouhani said the "Geneva deal means the surrender of big powers before the great nation of Iran."