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| Iran’s president urges ‘resolute fight’ against Islamic State but opposes U.S. lead | Iran’s president urges ‘resolute fight’ against Islamic State but opposes U.S. lead |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| NEW YORK — Iran’s president called Tuesday for a “resolute fight” against Islamic State militants, but denounced the U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria as violations of international law and unwelcome Western interference in the region. | NEW YORK — Iran’s president called Tuesday for a “resolute fight” against Islamic State militants, but denounced the U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria as violations of international law and unwelcome Western interference in the region. |
| The comments by Hasan Rouhani to a gathering of journalists in New York underscored the multiple layers for Iran in the rapidly expanding confrontation with the Islamic State. | The comments by Hasan Rouhani to a gathering of journalists in New York underscored the multiple layers for Iran in the rapidly expanding confrontation with the Islamic State. |
| Shiite power Iran is an unwavering opponent of the Sunni-led militants, but also refuses to join an international coalition led by Washington and including Tehran’s regional rivals such as Saudi Arabia. | |
| At the same time, Iran is a critical ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and must now calibrate its policies to balance its desire to defeat the Islamic State against its interests in keeping Assad in power. | At the same time, Iran is a critical ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and must now calibrate its policies to balance its desire to defeat the Islamic State against its interests in keeping Assad in power. |
| The Obama administration has proposed stepping up aid to “moderate” Syrian rebels as proxy fighters against the Islamic State and other al-Qaeda-inspired groups. Such help, however, could help rebels undercut Assad in a civil war that has raged since 2011. | The Obama administration has proposed stepping up aid to “moderate” Syrian rebels as proxy fighters against the Islamic State and other al-Qaeda-inspired groups. Such help, however, could help rebels undercut Assad in a civil war that has raged since 2011. |
| “Terrorist and extreme violence is a serious threat for all of us. There is no longer any doubt about the reality of the situation,’’ said Rouhani, who is in New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly that will include sidelines talks between Iranian envoys and world powers over Tehran’s nuclear program. | “Terrorist and extreme violence is a serious threat for all of us. There is no longer any doubt about the reality of the situation,’’ said Rouhani, who is in New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly that will include sidelines talks between Iranian envoys and world powers over Tehran’s nuclear program. |
| “These groups need a resolute fight to be carried out against them,” he said. | “These groups need a resolute fight to be carried out against them,” he said. |
| But Rouhani said the U.S.-led attacks “do not have any legal standing” without U.N. approval. He also criticized the American leadership in the Islamic State fight and suggested a regional heavyweight such as Iran was better suited to take the main role. | |
| Earlier, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Syria had been advised in advance of the airstrikes, but there was no strategic coordination with Assad’s government. | Earlier, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Syria had been advised in advance of the airstrikes, but there was no strategic coordination with Assad’s government. |
| “Who is best qualified to lead such a coalition? asked Rouhani. “Is it possible to do so without knowing the Middle East region extremely well?” | “Who is best qualified to lead such a coalition? asked Rouhani. “Is it possible to do so without knowing the Middle East region extremely well?” |
| Rouhani said a meeting with President Barack Obama was unlikely in New York. Last year, Obama reached out to the newly elected Rouhani in one of the highest-level contacts between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. | Rouhani said a meeting with President Barack Obama was unlikely in New York. Last year, Obama reached out to the newly elected Rouhani in one of the highest-level contacts between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. |
| Rouhani expressed hope for an accord on Iran’s nuclear program, but said his country must be able to “maintain a peaceful nuclear program” — a reference to uranium enrichment. | Rouhani expressed hope for an accord on Iran’s nuclear program, but said his country must be able to “maintain a peaceful nuclear program” — a reference to uranium enrichment. |
| Iran insists it does not seek a nuclear weapon and claims it produces nuclear fuel to power reactors for energy production and medical research. The West and its allies fear that Iran could use its enrichment program to someday create warhead-grade nuclear material. | Iran insists it does not seek a nuclear weapon and claims it produces nuclear fuel to power reactors for energy production and medical research. The West and its allies fear that Iran could use its enrichment program to someday create warhead-grade nuclear material. |
| Rouhani acknowledged that U.S. and international sanctions have squeezed Iran’s economy, but said Iran was able to soften the blow through stepped up trade with countries disregarding the measures. China and central Asian nations, for example, have boosted economic links with Iran. | Rouhani acknowledged that U.S. and international sanctions have squeezed Iran’s economy, but said Iran was able to soften the blow through stepped up trade with countries disregarding the measures. China and central Asian nations, for example, have boosted economic links with Iran. |
| “Is this to the benefit of the American economy, the American people, the world at large?” he said, calling the sanctions “inhumane and against human rights.” | “Is this to the benefit of the American economy, the American people, the world at large?” he said, calling the sanctions “inhumane and against human rights.” |
| Rouhani declined to give specifics about the possible charges or conditions for Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and his wife, Iranian journalist Yeganeh Salehi, who were detained in July. Rezaian has both Iranian and American citizenship. | |
| Rouhani said the investigation is ongong by the judiciary, which is directly controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his allies. Rouhani dismissed specuation that the case was an attempt by Iranian hard-liners to embarrass his reform-minded government. | |
| “I am not the judge of an individual who is being questioned by the judiciary at this point,” said Rouhani. “The final judgment has not been rendered at this point.” | |
| Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. |