CRI听力:Iran's Rouhani Appear on TV to Explain Landmark Deal

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has appeared on state television as negotiations continue with the P5+1 group, following November's preliminary nuclear deal.

"Good relations with neighbors are one of our main principles: it is an important priority for us. All nations in the region are included in our foreign policy priorities, along with other world powers. Regarding the issue of the joint action plan, or what is known as the Geneva agreement, our people witnessed that in the first step we were able to reach an agreement with the great powers while keeping the dignity and preserving the rights of our nation. Today we are seeing that many of these oppressive chains to which we were unrightfully bound, that crippled our economy, are being torn apart."

The landmark deal was reached in Geneva, designed to persuade Iran to curb parts of its nuclear work, in return for an estimated 7 billion U.S. dollars in sanctions relief.

However, members of the U.S. Congress have argued that it is unwise to ease sanctions before Iran takes aggressive action to rein in its nuclear program.

The United States, Israel and others suspect Iran of attempting to build nuclear weapons.

Iran has denied this.

Iranian President Rouhani:

"This move (the nuclear deal) has caused much anger among our enemies. You can see that the radicals in America are saying something new every day. The Zionist regime is very angry and our dear people witness how upset they are with this agreement. I want to state that this is the first success of the great nation of Iran in cooperating with the world."

Hardline clerics close to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Revolutionary Guards commanders and the intelligence services have attacked the temporary concessions Rouhani has made, although Khamenei has so far backed the president.

Rouhani, whose election led to a thaw in ties with the West after years of confrontation and hostile rhetoric, has promised to pursue a consistent foreign policy of "prudence and moderation" to revive the economy.