Iranian President Rohani: 'The Geneva Agreement... Means The Superpowers' Surrender To The Great Iranian Nation'

Top Iranian spokesmen have been depicting the Geneva deal as an Iranian victory over the U.S. and the other superpowers. Following are excerpts from their statements:

Iranian President Rohani: The Superpowers Have Surrendered To Iran

On January 14, 2014, in a speech in Ahwaz, in southeastern Iran, Iranian President Hassan Rohani said: "In a few days, the Geneva agreement will be implemented. Do you know what the Geneva agreement is? It means the superpowers' surrender to the great Iranian nation. The Geneva agreement means that the world accepts [Iran's] civil nuclear technology, which we achieved through the efforts and the sacrifice of our young scientists. The Geneva agreement means the collapse of the floodgate of the sanctions forced unjustly upon the dear, peace-loving Iranian nation."[1]

A few hours later, Rohani tweeted the same message: "Our relationship w/the world is based on Iranian nation's interests. In #Geneva agreement world powers surrendered to Iranian nation's will"[2]

Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei: "Any Enemy Backs Down When Forced To"

In a January 9, 2014 speech in Qom, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said, referring to the Geneva deal:

"Any enemy [i.e. the U.S. and its allies] backs down when forced to. If you force them to back down – they will. Nevertheless, they will not back down from their enmity towards us... You can hear their statements and speeches. When they cannot take action, they say: 'We can't.' It's true. They can't. They say: 'If we could dismantle the Iranian nuclear industry we would, but we can't.' Indeed, they can't. Why not? Because of the will of the Iranian nation..."[3]

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif: U.S. Is A Crumbling Power

On November 25, 2014, the day after the agreement was announced, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Iranian TV: "[Over the years] many have tried to take the enrichment program away from Iran, by means of pressure, [but] eventually they agreed [to Iran's uranium enrichment]. We must appreciate this achievement...[4]

He added: "[Do] not think that the U.S. and Israel are strong powers. They are crumbling powers."[5]

Former Nuclear Negotiator: "The Geneva Agreement Is A Turning Point – Because The U.S. Has Fundamentally Backed Down From Its Position"

In a January 8 panel discussion on "The Geneva Agreement – Its Political Implications In The Region And Beyond," Cyrus Nasseri, a former member of Iran's nuclear negotiating team, said: "The Geneva agreement is a turning point, because the U.S. has fundamentally backed down from its position on the nuclear issue, and also on the international level, after [its] demonstrated and absolute hostility towards the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region.

"This issue [i.e. the Geneva deal] can be crucial for the future situation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, both regionally and internationally. The U.S.'s retreat [from its position] was so significant that its friends and allies in NATO – such as Britain, France, Germany, and others – were in shock. They did not believe that the Americans, who had been in an all-out confrontation with Iran, had all at once backed down..."[6]

Iranian Judiciary Official: "This Victory Should Accompany The Instilling Of The Message Of The [Islamic] Revolution In The Other Nations"

Provincial Judiciary chief Hekmat Ali Mozaffari told IRNA in a November 27, 2013 interview: "The Geneva talks perfectly showcased the might of the regime of the Islamic Republic in international forums. This victory should accompany the instilling of the message of the [Islamic] revolution in the other nations."[7]