Rouhani says regional stability without Iran is impossible
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the Middle East won’t see stability without the help of Iran, responding to criticism of the Islamic Republic from U.S. President Donald Trump. “Who can say regional stability can be restored without Iran? Who can say the region will experience total stability without Iran?” Rouhani said during a press conference, broadcast live on state television. Iran’s president also dismissed a summit which was attended by Trump on Sunday (May 21) in Saudi Arabia as a “ceremonial [event] that had no political value and will bear no results”. Rouhani added that the U.S. administration lacked knowledge about the Middle East. “Americans resorted to many different methods against Iran but failed in all … We are waiting for the new government to find stability and continuity in its policies”, Rouhani said. “The problem is that the Americans do not know our region and those who advise U.S. officials are misleading them”, he continued. U.S. President Donald Trump arrived at the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday along with leaders of more than 50 Muslim countries. Trump said Muslim countries must lead the fight against radicalization in a speech during the summit, adding the deadliest attacks have been carried out against Arab, Muslim and Middle Eastern nations by the militant groups. “In sheer numbers the deadliest toll has been exacted on Arab, Muslim and Middle Eastern nations”, he said. “More than 95% of the victims of terrorism are themselves Muslim”. Trump also said in a speech from Jerusalem on Monday that Iran must immediately stop its financial and military support for “terrorists and militias” and he reiterated that it never be permitted to possess atomic arms. The United States brands Iran a “state sponsor of terrorism.” It says Tehran’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria’s civil war, Houthi rebels in Yemen’s civil war and the Hezbollah Shia political party and militia in Lebanon have helped destabilize the Middle East.