U.S. President Barack Obama announced a landmark agreement on Iran's nuclear-energy program late Saturday night.
Although he was careful to note that it is only a "first step," Obama said the U.S. and other world powers would begin to ease economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for the country offering significant proof that it does not intend to pursue a nuclear weapon. A turning point toward diplomacy seems to have come with the election of Iran's new moderate president, Hassan Rouhani, who replaced hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in August.
See also: Who's Tweeting for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani?
"These sanctions have had a substantial impact on the Iranian economy, and with the election of a new Iranian president earlier this year, an opening for diplomacy emerged," Obama said. "Today, that diplomacy opened up a new path toward a world that is more secure — a future in which we can verify that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful, and that it cannot build a nuclear weapon."
For anyone who's been following Rouhani on Twitter, this announcement might come as no surprise. Since registering for Iran's presidential election in May, which is also when he created an English Twitter account, Rouhani has often tweeted about nuclear diplomacy. (The Iranian president joined Twitter with an account that includes only Persian tweets in April.)
Rouhani previously led Iran's nuclear negotiating efforts during his term as secretary of the country's Supreme National Security Council from 1989 to 2005. During his campaign for president earlier this year, he touted his experience on Twitter, and promised Iranians "hope and prudence," saying he would "use foreign policy resources to achieve economic growth."
"Chanting slogans" against hostile moves by other countries and "crass talk" does not amount to foreign policy, Rouhani said in one tweet. In another, he commented that foreign policy is perhaps more important now than at "any other time in [Iran's] history." Frequently posting English tweets and YouTube videos with English subtitles throughout his campaign, as well as after his election, Rouhani appeared to be laying the groundwork for negotiations.
Read on for a timeline of Rouhani's key tweets about Iran's nuclear policy, from his campaigning days up to Saturday's announcement.
Our ultimate objective is #removal of #sanctions as they are not in our people's interest. #Rouhani2013
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) May 25, 2013
No UN #sanctions imposed on #Iran while #Rouhani was chief #nuclear negotiator.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) May 25, 2013
Under #Rouhani tenure as chief #nuclear negotiator, constructive #dialogue minimized #tensions. #intelligentdiplomacy #experience
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) May 26, 2013
First meeting between #Rouhani negotiating team and #EU-3 ministers in #Tehran 2003 #nuclearenergy #diplomacy pic.twitter.com/MyF9J6IJW3
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) May 26, 2013
#Rouhani: Iran was not, is not, and will never be after #nuclear bomb. We only seek peaceful #technology #Rouhani2013
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) May 27, 2013
#Current topic of #nuclear negotiations continuously removal or reduction of #sanctions that didn't exist under #Rouhani tenure.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) May 28, 2013
#Rouhani: It's good to have #centrifuges running..if people's lives and livehoods are also running..
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) June 7, 2013
#Nuclear diplomacy should be in hands of those who know the #world and can enter #negotiations wisely..
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) June 7, 2013
#Rouhani has won Iran's presidential election, securing over 50% of the vote and so avoiding the need for a run-off.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) June 15, 2013
Two measures will be taken to remove sanctions step-by-step. First is #transparency.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) June 17, 2013
Our program is #transparent, but we can take more steps to make it clear to world that our #nuclear program is within intl regulations.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) June 17, 2013
Second, mutual #trust between the two sides should be promoted. We will work towards #rebuilding this trust.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) June 17, 2013
Issue of Iran & US difficult and #complicated. It has been an old #wound and we must think of how to heal this injury...
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) June 17, 2013
We don't want further tension. Both nations need 2 think more abt future & try 2 sit down & find solutions to past issues & rectify things.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) June 17, 2013
#Ahmadinejad's second term in office to officially end in hours as Ayatollah #Khamenei to endorse #Rouhani 5pm local time #newbeginning
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) August 3, 2013
#Rouhani officially sworn in as Iran’s new president
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) August 4, 2013
#Rouhani: If US shows goodwill & intentions based on mutual respect & equal footing without hidden agenda way for interaction will be open.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) August 6, 2013
President #Rouhani appoints new nuclear negotiating team to continue talks with #IAEA. We're ready for serious and substantive negotiations.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) September 4, 2013
#Nuclear weapons have not and will never have place in our #national security doctrine, also rejected on religious and #moral grounds. #UNGA
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) September 24, 2013
No nations should possess nuclear weapons as there are no right hands for these wrong weapons #UNGA #Live
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) September 26, 2013
In phone convo, President #Rouhani and President @BarackObama expressed their mutual political #will to rapidly solve the #nuclear issue.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) September 27, 2013
See also: Iran's President Deletes Tweet About Phone Call With Obama
#Rouhani: I hope [upcoming #nuclear] talks [in Geneva] will be successful. #Iran
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) October 3, 2013
All parties in #nuclear negotiations r convinced previous approach was not suitable;if our goal is to build mutual trust,there r better ways
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) October 19, 2013
The West should not miss this unique opportunity. Our nation is participating in the Geneva negotiations with strong will & determination.
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) November 9, 2013
If negotiations prove successful, it'll be beneficial to the entire region, our neighbors, the West & all those involved in #IranTalks
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) November 21, 2013
(Rouhani retweeted Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's announcement)
We have reached an agreement.
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) November 24, 2013
Iranian people's vote for #moderation & constructive engagement + tireless efforts by negotiating teams are to open new horizons. #IranTalks
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) November 24, 2013
#IranTalks progressed in such a way that rights of Iranian nation to peaceful #nuclear energy & enrichment were acknowledged by world powers
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) November 24, 2013
With the initial agreement, stopping the process of unjust sanctions, lifting parts of illegal pressures from unilateral sanctions 1/2
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) November 24, 2013
& breaking down the architecture for sanctions has begun 2/2
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) November 24, 2013
Tomorrow is 100th day since cabinet was formed & government has been in office. Glad to have reached agreement before 100th day. #IranTalks
— Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) November 24, 2013
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Image: Twitter, Hassan Rouhani