West's 30-year Vendetta with Iran Is Finally Buried in Davos

Hassan Rouhani

TELEGRAPH BLOGS – AMBROSE EVANS-PRITCHARD: The Iranian nuclear deal is on. Hassan Rouhani's charm offensive in Davos has been a tour de force, the moment of rehabilitation for the Islamic Republic. His words were emollient.

"The world hasn't seen a speech like that from an Iranian leader since the Revolution," tweeted Ian Bremmer from the Eurasia Group.

Anybody betting on oil futures in the belief that Iran's nuclear deal with great powers is a negotiating ploy – to gain time – should be careful. There is a very high likelihood that the sanctions against Iran will be lifted in stages, leading to an extra 1.2 barrels a day on the global market just as Libya, Iraq, and the US all crank up output.

“One of the theoretical and practical pillars of my government is constructive engagement with the world. Without international engagement, objectives such as growth, creativity and quality are unattainable," said Rouhani.

"I strongly and clearly state that nuclear weapons have no place in our security strategy,” he said. Read on and comment » | Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Thursday, January 23, 2014