Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic has opened a new chapter in its relations with the world, as Tehran and the six world powers begin implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

In a Sunday statement, President Rouhani congratulated the Iranian nation on the implementation of the historic nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries on July 14, 2015.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and European Union foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, announced the implementation of JCPOA during a joint press conference in Vienna on Saturday.

Yukiya Amano, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also said on the same day that Iran had taken the “necessary preparatory steps to start the implementation of” JCPOA.

The Iranian president noted that the official announcement of the implementation of JCPOA has desecuritized Iran’s nuclear case, and has led to removal of the “cruel” sanctions against the Islamic Republic, while establishing the nuclear rights of Iran.

Rouhani added that implementation of JCPOA will pave the way for Iran’s economy to be reintegrated into the global economy.

The Iranian president also stated that Iran reached the agreement with the world through “professional and complicated” negotiations while maintaining its dignity and strength.

“Implementation of JCPOA does not harm any country. Iran's friends are happy and its rivals must not be worried. We are not a threat against any government and nation,” President Rouhani emphasized.

“While being fully ready to safeguard Iran’s sovereignty, we are the messenger of peace, stability and security in the region and across the world,” he said.

Rouhani added that JCPOA is the outcome of resistance, determination and wisdom of a nation that opposes war and violence and has chosen the path of logic and negotiation.

The president noted that Iran has weathered the period of economic hardships and its national strategy is still "the strategy of the Economy of Resistance," which will connect the country's economy to global economy.

Zionists, warmongers not happy with JCPOA

Rouhani also took part in an open session of the Iranian parliament (Majlis) on Sunday to submit the annual budget bill, noting that apart from Zionists, warmongers, hardliners in the US and those who seek to sow discord among the Islamic Ummah, other parties are happy with the implementation of JCPOA.

Rouhani added that JCPOA is just harbinger of a “new atmosphere and new conditions” which must be taken advantage of “in favor of the country’s growth and development and for the welfare of people as well as progress, stability and security of the region.”

Iran's President Rouhani addressed the Iranian parliament on Sunday, January 17, as he submits the annual budget bill. ©IRNA

He emphasized that during negotiations with the P5+1 group of countries, Iran managed to get big powers to recognize its nuclear rights.

The Iranian president said through the nuclear talks, Iran succeeded in defeating the Iranophobia project, adding, “We [managed] to repair the tarnished image that had been presented of us in the world and show that the Iranian government and nation are logical, [and] peace-loving while defending their rights with strength.”