Rouhani defends nuclear pact in Iran as US tries to ease Gulf fears

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani defended an interim nuclear deal that eases some of the international community's crippling economic sanctions in return for a freeze on part of the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment activities, saying Saturday that improving the economy is as important as maintaining a peaceful nuclear program.

Since Iran signed the interim agreement last month with the U.S., France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia, Rouhani has been trying to convince skeptics and hard-liners at home that Iran is not compromising on key issues of national sovereignty. 

The task will likely become more difficult for Rouhani as Tehran moves toward a final accord six months from now.

"Nuclear technology and uranium enrichment is our definite right," Rouhani said in a speech to university students that was broadcast live on state TV. "But progress, better living conditions and welfare for the people is also our definite right. Breaking and dismantling the architecture of the ominous and oppressive sanctions is also our definite right."

Sanctions leveled by Western powers on Iran over its disputed nuclear program have taken an immense toll on the nation's economy, and Rouhani was elected in a landslide earlier this year with the expectation that he would quickly fix the economic malaise. At times, he has tried to frame the debate over the nuclear deal in economic terms, stressing the boost it would give the economy.

"Centrifuges should spin. But the life of people and the economy also need to spin," he added. "Without economic might, our national might won't be enhanced."

Iran also struck a separate agreement last month with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to allow expanded U.N. monitoring at the country's nuclear sites. As part of that deal, Iran invited inspectors from the U.N. nuclear watchdog to visit the heavy water production plant in the central city of Arak on Dec. 8.

Iran's semiofficial Mehr news agency said Saturday that two IAEA inspectors arrived in Tehran to visit the Arak facility Sunday.

The invitation shows Tehran is starting to comply with commitments to open previously off-limits sites to IAEA inspectors.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Iran still poses a security threat despite the nuclear deal. Hagel, who was speaking in Manama, Bahrain at an annual security forum known as the Manama Dialogue, also opened the door for the U.S. to sell missile defense and other weapons systems to U.S.-friendly Gulf nations. 

Hagel tried to counter apprehension that the deal with Tehran, in tandem with U.S. budgetary pressures, could signal a decline in America's commitment to the Gulf, arguing that the U.S. emphasis on diplomacy must not be misinterpreted as a pivot away from region. 

"We know diplomacy cannot operate in a vacuum," Hagel said. "Our success will continue to hinge on America's military power and the credibility of our assurances to our allies and partners in the Middle East that we will use it."

As part of the security effort, he said the U.S. wants to take steps to beef up the Gulf region's ability to defend itself.

The most concrete proposal Hagel outlined is the Pentagon's plan to allow military sales to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), so the six-member nations can have more coordinated radars, sensors and early warning missile defense systems. While the U.S. can sell to the individual nations, Hagel is arguing that selling the systems to the GCC will ensure that the countries will be able to communicate and coordinate better.

It is unclear, however, how effective that plan will be considering it can be difficult for the six sometimes quarrelsome nations of the GCC — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman — to reach agreements. 

Wire services