No dismantling of Iran nuclear facilities: Rouhani

Asked by FT whether dismantling Iran's atomic facilities was a 'red line' for Iran, Rouhani replied: '100 percent'.

LONDON: Iran will not dismantle its nuclear facilities, President Hassan Rouhani said in an interview with The Financial Times published Friday after a historic deal between Tehran and world powers.

Asked by the newspaper whether dismantling Iran's atomic facilities was a "red line" for the Islamic republic, Rouhani replied: "100 percent".

Israel has bitterly opposed the deal struck in Geneva last weekend, saying that any pact with Tehran must have the sole purpose of dismantling Iran's nuclear capability.

Pending negotiations for a broader agreement, the deal struck in Geneva early November 24 calls for a six-month's freeze of Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

But it does not call for dismantling Iran's nuclear facilities.

Rouhani meanwhile held out hope for further improvements in Iran's relations with the United States.

"Iran-US problems are very complicated and cannot be resolved over a short period of time. Despite the complications, there has been an opening over the past 100 days, which can widen later," he told the FT.