Proposed minister: New government to pursue rights of Iranian nation

President Rouhani's nominee for the post of Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, underlined that Rouhani’s government is determined to protect the rights of the Iranian nation in all fields. “We will not give up even an iota of the Iranian nation’s rights and we will widen the scope of our friendships in the world, while we will be ready to force other actors in the international arena to turn their hostile attitude and behavior into (interactive) relations (with Iran) based on cooperation,” Zarif said.    Meantime, he lauded people’s high turnout in the June 14 presidential election, and told the MPs that endorsing the president’s approach has this clear message to the world that the great Iranian nation is determined to have interaction with the world without compromising its inalienable rights. Zarif, a career diplomat, stressed that Iran’s partnership in issues of this strategic region is a main contributor to the prevention of war and insecurity. President Rouhani and his nominees for different cabinet posts attended the parliament on Monday and Tuesday for a vote of confidence to his 18 proposed ministers. The debate at the parliament will continue until Thursday afternoon. Rouhani presented the list of his candidates for the posts to the parliament on August 4, on the same day that he was sworn in as Iran's President. The Iranian president reiterated in his press conference that he would defend his ministers decisively. He had said that the country needs experienced individuals for the cabinet and those who will enter the area should have possessed sufficient expertise and experience and have presented a satisfactory record in the past.