Tehran, June 23, IRNA -- The economic situation has been improving, though at a modest pace, over the past year.But a positive atmosphere at nuclear talks between Iran and five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, known as the P5+1, has caused the process of economic improvement to garner speed. This has prompted many lawmakers to express satisfaction over the issue.
A large number of MPs voiced support for nuclear negotiations and said the negotiating team can be successful and overcome all challenges if it receives unwavering support.
Chairman of the Majlis Foreign Relations Committee Vahid Ahmadi told Tuesday edition of the English-language newspaper Iran Daily that a majority of lawmakers back the process of nuclear talks and believe that the performance of the Foreign Ministry and the negotiating team has been satisfactory.
?The continuation of this process will help improve economic conditions day by day as well as people?s livelihood,? the MP pointed out.
Ahmadi added while legislators demand that all nuclear gains be preserved, they are fully supporting the negotiating team.
On the possibility of a comprehensive deal with six world powers over Iran?s nuclear energy program, the lawmaker said, the Islamic Republic has always acted within the framework of nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and cooperated with international bodies over its peaceful nuclear activities. ?If the negotiating team attains favorable result, all will be satisfied. But if they fail to do so, this will be indicative of P5+1?s excessive demands, which Iran will not give in to.?
Mehrdad Lahouti, a member of the Majlis Development Committee, said strict sanctions imposed by Western countries on Iran has created numerous problems, especially in the economic sector, for the country. 85 percent of the sanctions target the economy while the rest are military.
He added the sanctions led to reduction of oil export to one million barrels per day from the earlier figure of 2.7 million barrels. This is while Iran has the capacity to produce and export four million barrels of crude daily.
?The reduction in oil export caused a remarkable decline in the country?s oil revenues and consequently harmed the economy.?
Lahouti said the sanctions regime not only resulted in a reduction in national revenues, but also created serious problems for industries.
The aviation is one of these industries. At present, around 100 planes are grounded due to a lack of spare parts. The Americans slap heavy fines on all countries that sell plane parts to Iran,? he noted.
Regarding sanctions targeting Iran?s banking system, Lahouti said as the result of the restrictions, the cost of transferring funds to Iran increased between 8 and 30 percent from the previous 0.5 percent.
He stated that in the wake of diplomatic efforts by the government of President Hassan Rouhani, not only did oil exports go up, but some sanctions were also eased. ?It is expected that with the positive trend of the talks, the economic situation of the country will improve.?
The lawmaker expressed satisfaction with the process of talks, saying most of his colleagues support the negotiating team.
Lahouti said some MPs are worried about the outcome of the nuclear talks. ?Not to worry as long as negotiations are held under the supervision of Supreme National Security Council.?
By IRNA
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