Western countries' strategy of derailing Iran's economy through lowering oil prices is vain, says Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Tehran has forecast the drop in prices and planned only 33 percent of its income and 60 percent of its export turnover to come from oil.MOSCOW, January 13 (Sputnik) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday that the fall inoil prices will not strain Iran, despitethe West's attempts toundermine the country's economy.
"Western countries think they have succeeded tocreate a new problem forIran byreducing the price ofoil butthis will not put Iran underany pressure," Rouhani was quoted assaying bythe IRNA news agency. "The era ofthreats and sanctions is over," he stressed.
Rouhani said that Tehran forecast the drop inoil prices and planned only 33 percent ofits income and 60 percent ofits export turnover tocome fromoil, Mehr News Agency reported.
The president has also urged the members ofP5+1 group comprising Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Germany toadopt a rational approach inits talks withIran overits controversial nuclear program.
"Should the 5+1 decide not totake upon a rational and quick path inthe nuclear negotiations, they will sustain loss. Iran, however, will continue negotiations, peaceful coexistence and constructive interaction withthe world withinthe framework ofnational interests," Rouhani was quoted assaying bythe news agency.
Tehran has been targeted bysanctions imposed bythe United States, the UN Security Council, the European Union, and a number ofother countries overthe allegations that Iran is trying toproduce nuclear weapons. The Iranian government has repeatedly denied such allegations, claiming that its nuclear program is purely aimed atmeeting the country's growing energy needs.
The P5+1 group joined diplomatic efforts back in2006 inan attempt toreach a deal withIranian authorities. Since then, the group has held several meetings withTehran, butthe sides have failed toreach an agreement.
The latest roundof talks betweenIran and the P5+1 group, held inNovember inVienna, did not produce a comprehensive deal onIran's nuclear program and the sides agreed tocontinue the discussions untilJuly 2015.
By Sputnik News
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