TEHRAN — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed his nation's preliminary nuclear agreement with Western powers Friday, saying it would allow Iran to continue enriching uranium "without being threatened anymore."
Rouhani told reporters the world powers, known as P5 +1, had tried to "sanction us into submission," but realized Iran would not "surrender."
He said in finding terms with Iran, the West had accepted that the country's enrichment process was peaceful.
"We will carry on enriching uranium on our own soil without being threatened anymore," he said.
The president also said the deal showed Iran could cooperate with the West.
Rouhani, who was voted in by a large majority on a mandate to get rid of sanctions, and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif are seen by many as national heroes for negotiating a deal that would lift crippling economic sanctions.
After marathon talks in Lausanne, Iran agreed on limits on its program on uranium and plutonium development — two means of building a nuclear bomb. It also agreed to accept international inspections on its nuclear facilitates.
IN-DEPTH
- Is the World Safer or Not? What's Being Said About Iran Nuke Deal
- Cheering Crowds Greet Zarif in Tehran After Nuke Deal
- Netanyahu: Iran Nuke Deal is a Threat to Israel's Survival
