Iranian presidential candidate Hassan Rohani says he will seek help from the Iranian elite in running the country\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s affairs and will attempt to establish amicable ties with the international community if elected president.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cThe Administration of Prudence and Hope will be the administration of peace, friendship and reconciliation; reconciliation with the elite, scholars and competent managers, reconciliation with the people and the world in an attempt to put an end to the oppressive pressure against the Iranian nation,\u201d Rohani said in his first election campaign documentary broadcast on national TV on Tuesday.\n<\/p>\n
Rohani touched upon Iran\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s economic challenges, saying, \u00c5\u201cThe most important economic problem for the people, which they seek to find a solution to, is high prices. We see that the prices of basic goods have increased by nearly 300 percent within eight years. Inflation stood at over 31 percent over the past year alone.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cThe government should leave the economy to the people, and only have a supervisory, supportive and policy-making role,\u201d he pointed out.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cOn the other hand, our economy should be exports-oriented. If we manage to link our universities to our industries, we can say that we have made good headway in terms of innovation,\u201d Rohani added.\n<\/p>\n
The top Iranian official noted that the ruling system should represent all political and social strata to manage the country\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s affairs efficiently.\n<\/p>\n
Explaining his stance about the women\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s role in the society, Rohani said, \u00c5\u201cIf we do not appreciate the presence of women in the society and fail to prepare the ground for their participation in various fields, it means that we are deprived of many valuable experts and managers in the society.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cIn the next administration, discrimination between men and women will be eliminated in all social arenas,\u201d the reformist candidate pointed out.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Rohani also defended his track record as Iran\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s chief nuclear negotiator from October 2003 to August 2005.<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cI am happy to have moved war, sanctions, and the UN Security Council [resolutions] away from Iran,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cI pride myself on having succeeded in winning the unanimous confirmation of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Board of Governors regarding the peacefulness of [Iran\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s nuclear] activities,\u201d he added.\n<\/p>\n
The United States and the European Union have imposed illegal unilateral bans on the Islamic Republic over the unfounded allegation that Iran is pursuing non-civilian purposes in its nuclear energy program. Iran strongly rejects the allegation.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cIt would be nice to see centrifuges turning, provided that the wheels of the country also turn,\u201d the presidential candidate said.\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cBut when a centrifuge is supposed to keep spinning while the entire country remains stagnant, meaning that we launch the single Natanz [nuclear] facility, but hundreds of our factories face problems, stop operating or work at a 20-percent capacity due to a lack of parts, raw materials and sanctions\u2026 that we do not approve of,\u201d he pointed out.\n<\/p>\n
Rohani will be competing against Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, the secretary of Iran\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei, lawmaker Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili, former Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Velayati, former First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref, and former Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Gharazi in Iran’s 11th presidential election.\n<\/p>\n
On June 14, Iranians will cast their ballots at over 66,000 polling stations across the country, and some 285 polling stations will be set up for Iranian nationals in other countries.\n<\/p>\n
The president of Iran is elected for a four-year term in a national election.\n<\/p>\n
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