Rouhani: US Policies Important, Not Who Becomes President

FILE PHOTO: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a cabinet meeting, in Tehran, Iran, April 1, 2020. Official Presidential Website/Handout via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a cabinet meeting, in Tehran, Iran, April 1, 2020. Official Presidential Website/Handout via REUTERS
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Rouhani: US Policies Important, Not Who Becomes President

FILE PHOTO: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a cabinet meeting, in Tehran, Iran, April 1, 2020. Official Presidential Website/Handout via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks during a cabinet meeting, in Tehran, Iran, April 1, 2020. Official Presidential Website/Handout via REUTERS

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday the result of the US election was not important for the country's clerical rulers, but that the next president in Washington should respect international treaties and laws.

"For Tehran, the next US administration's policies are important and not who wins the US election," Rouhani said in a televised cabinet meeting.

Democratic challenger Joe Biden has promised to rejoin Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with six powers if Iran returns to compliance with it.

President Donald Trump abandoned the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. In retaliation, Iran has gradually reduced compliance with the deal's terms.

"We want to be respected, not subject to sanctions (by the United States). No matter who wins the US election ... For us, policies and principles are important," Rouhani said.

Trump has said he wants to strike a new deal with Tehran that would address Iran's missile program and support for regional proxies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

Iran has ruled out any negotiations unless Washington first returns to the accord.



Russia, Ukraine Have Exchanged 175 Prisoners of War Each, Moscow Says

Freed Russian prisoners of war sit on a bus following a swap on February 5, 2025, at an undisclosed location. © Handout, Russian Defence Ministry, AFP / File picture
Freed Russian prisoners of war sit on a bus following a swap on February 5, 2025, at an undisclosed location. © Handout, Russian Defence Ministry, AFP / File picture
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Russia, Ukraine Have Exchanged 175 Prisoners of War Each, Moscow Says

Freed Russian prisoners of war sit on a bus following a swap on February 5, 2025, at an undisclosed location. © Handout, Russian Defence Ministry, AFP / File picture
Freed Russian prisoners of war sit on a bus following a swap on February 5, 2025, at an undisclosed location. © Handout, Russian Defence Ministry, AFP / File picture

Russia has conducted a prisoner exchange with Ukraine finalized during a telephone call between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

It said in a statement that 175 Ukrainian soldiers had been swapped for 175 Russian servicemen, Reuters reported.

Moscow had handed over an additional 22 heavily wounded Ukrainian prisoners in need of urgent medical care in what it described as a goodwill gesture.

Russian soldiers freed in the deal are in Belarus awaiting transit to Russia, it added