BICOM

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani yesterday claimed Iran has no intention of developing nuclear weapons, in a speech to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. At the same event, Israel’s leaders responded by accusing Rouhani of deception and doubted his peaceful intentions.

In his address, Rouhani said, “Nuclear weapons have no place in our security strategy and Iran has no motivation to move in that direction.” Iran’s President added, “I envisage Iran’s place alongside” the globe’s top emerging economies and called for “constructive engagement” with the world. Asked if this applied to all countries, Rouhani pointedly clarified that he meant those “we officially recognise,” indicating that he has no intention of engaging with Israel.

Rouhani’s speech was soon followed by an address from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who said Rouhani “is continuing with the Iranian show of deception.” He elaborated, saying that “Iran remains aggressive, supports terror… participates in the slaughter in Syria… is pursuing the development of ballistic missile and plutonium for nuclear weapons.” Netanyahu described Rouhani’s speech as having “no connection to what is going on on the ground.” He said that Rouhani’s words “sound nice” but are “false.”

Striking a similar tone, Israel’s President Shimon Peres, who will today receive the “Spirit of Davos” award told a press conference that “the most significant remarks” were those which Rouhani “didn’t make.” Peres noted, “He is the only leader I know who didn’t say clearly the time has come to make peace between Israel and the Arabs.” He also pointed out that Rouhani “didn’t announce he is going to stop sending arms to Hezbollah… He didn’t announce Iran will stop being the centre of terror of our time.” Peres added, “as far as Israel is concerned we are ready to make peace with the Iranian people,” but that “today was a great occasion that was missed” by Rouhani, who pledged peace only with countries “Iran will accept.”