It is only two weeks since President Rouhani took office, but his foreign-policy line is well-established: Iran wants and will promote engagement with the West, including over nuclear talks.
Rouhanis line, set out in his campaign and inaugural speech, was loudly reinforced by new Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif last weekend.
Now the Supreme Leaders office, through senior advisor Ali Akbar Velayati, has given its public endorsement. In an interview with Associated Press itself a significant signal, given recent hostility by the regime towards Western media Velayati promised a break with the approach of the recently-departed Ahmadinejad Government: Repeating the same language that we had before, I dont think it is useful.
But how will the US and its European allies? So far the only public clue is in a phone call of congratulations to Zarif from Catherine Ashton, the lead nuclear negotiator for the 5+1 Powers (US, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia).
In the call on Saturday, Ashton who is also the foreign policy head for the European Union said the 5+1 Powers were ready to work with the new Iranian negotiating team as soon as they were appointed. Indictments to be Issued in Case of Blogger Sattar Beheshtis Death
National Prosecutor General, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, announced on Monday that indictments will soon be issued for defendants accused of involvement in the death of an Iranian blogger.
Sattar Beheshti had been charged with spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic, insulting the values of the system and acting against national security when he died in custody on 3 November, 2012.
Mohseni-Ejei also announced that a number of suspects in the $2.6 billion financial fraud case involving Arya Investment Company will stand trial in the neart future, including one of the companys ownders, Mah-Afarid Amir-Khosravi. Rouhani Vows to Improve Standard of Living
President Hassan Rouhani has declared that his administration will work towards improving the standard of living in Iran.
At his first cabinet meeting on Sunday he asked all the bodies affiliated with the executive branch to inform the government of any measures that could help improve the standard of living in the next 100 days.
The administration has begun by expediting the release of imported staple foods from customs offices.
Rouhani stated that his government will work to prevent budget shortfalls and ensure the availability of basic goods until springtime. Rouhani Not Decided on Control of Nuclear File
Knocking back weekend reports that the file for nuclear talks has been given to new Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said this morning that Presidency Rouhani has not yet decided on the issue.
Irans nuclear dossier has always been handled by the Supreme National Security Council, which answers to the Supreme Leader. However, its last head, Saeed Jalili, has been strongly criticised within the regime over his handling of nuclear diplomacy.
The spokesman that, if #Rouhani did give the dossier to the Foreign Ministery, We are capable and will do a good job. Official Inflation Rate Passes 40%
The Central Bank announced on Monday that the inflation rate from June 21-July 20 was 37.5%, with the point-to-point rate the change in the price index over the last year reaching 44%.