Iran’s president urges nuclear deal

TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called international negotiations on the nation’s nuclear program a matter of “heart” on Sunday, and said Iran needed to end its political isolation to allow its economy to grow.

Rouhani made his remarks to a conference of 1,500 economists in Tehran, Iran’s Fars news agency said. The speech, delivered before talks on the nuclear program resume next week in Geneva, appeared to be an attempt to stave off criticism from hard-liners while demonstrating a willingness to work with international powers.

Western powers worry that Iran would use nuclear energy to build weapons. Rouhani and other officials have said they need it for power and research.

On Sunday, Rouhani said agreeing to halt some uranium enrichment – which can create both reactor fuel and weapons – should not be construed as having “compromised our principles and cause.”

“Our cause is not linked to a centrifuge. It is connected to our heart and to our willpower,” he said, according to Fars. “Our political life has shown we can’t have sustainable growth while we are isolated.”

Rouhani, who was elected in 2013 after promising to resolve his country’s nuclear standoff with world powers and end international sanctions, also said he would like some economic reforms passed by referendum – bypassing the parliament, which is dominated by conservatives.