President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday that the divisions between the US and Europe over renewed sanctions on Iran were a “rare historical victory” for the Islamic republic.
“If this time last year, we had stated that America would stand against the great nation of Iran… and Europe would stand with Iran and against America, the overwhelming majority of us… would have said that this was pure optimism,” Rouhani told lawmakers in a televised address.
“The political victory of the great nation of Iran over the past months is a rare victory in history.”
EU countries have fiercely opposed the decision by US President Donald Trump to abandon their landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimpose sanctions—the last of which will return on November 5.
Rouhani was addressing parliament for a special session to approve four new ministers covering the portfolios of economy, transport, labour and industry.