Iran’s President Hassan Rohani has harshly criticized hard-liners opposed to making a deal over Iran’s contested nuclear program with world powers, calling them “political cowards.”

Rohani made the comments in a televised speech during an annual meeting of Iranian ambassadors on August 11.

Rohani said: “Anytime we negotiate, they start shaking. Well, to hell. Go and find a warm place for yourself.”

Rohani began his presidency in August last year by restarting nuclear talks with the West, which had been stalled under his hard-line predecessor, Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

Hard-liners have opposed an interim nuclear deal struck in November, saying Tehran made too many concessions in return for too little.

Iran and world powers have not yet achieved a long-term agreement.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP
RFE/RL