Skeptics of nuclear deal ‘all proven wrong,’ says Rouhani

President of Iran boasts various banks opened ‘1,000 lines of credit’ within hours of sanctions being lifted

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, left, presents the proposed annual budget to Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani Ali Larijani in the capital Tehran, on January 17, 2016, after sanctions were lifted under Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. (AFP/Atta Kenare)
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, left, presents the proposed annual budget to Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani Ali Larijani in the capital Tehran, on January 17, 2016, after sanctions were lifted under Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. (AFP/Atta Kenare)

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday that skeptics who said a nuclear deal with world powers would not bring benefits to Iran “were all proven wrong.”

“Within a few hours” of the nuclear deal being implemented and sanctions lifted “1,000 lines of credit were opened by various banks,” Rouhani told reporters in Tehran.

“This showed that those who used to say, ‘do not believe’ were mistaken,” he said, stressing the deal would now make it easier for Iranian businesses to operate after years of being frozen out of the international financial system.

“Today we are in an atmosphere where we can have political, economic and legal interaction with the world to the benefit of our national interests,” the president said.

“We believe in our national strength. We believe in our nation’s success,” he added.

The remarks were a riposte to doubters who say that the diplomatic success of the nuclear deal will not translate into concrete economic benefits for Iran’s economy.

Rouhani staked his presidency on the nuclear talks, deepening the diplomacy which involved Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany after taking office in August 2013.

Only last week he said Iranians should look forward to a “year of prosperity” after sanctions are lifted.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.