A senior advisor to the Leader says the slump in oil prices is a tactic aimed at undermining "independence-seeking" nations.
Ali Akbar Velayati said in an interview with Fars news agency published on Sunday that "(The US and its allies) have employed various tactics, including establishing extremist groups, inciting instability and insecurity in other countries, imposing sanctions and cutting oil prices artificially, as part of efforts to undermine independence-seeking nations and bring them to heel."
He said it is not the first time that an "oil plot" against Iran has been devised and they have previously used oil as a "political weapon" and that "client states" of the US are following Washington's instructions "in disregard of their own national interests."
Oil prices have fallen about 50 percent since June due to a supply glut and weak demand as a result of lackluster global economic growth.
Iran has experienced low oil prices in previous decades and "we do not abandon our principles" under pressure from declining oil prices, said Velayati, director the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council.
The veteran politician touched on the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the major powers and said western governments do not want Iran to have peaceful nuclear capabilities for clean energy generation. He also reiterated that Tehran does not want nuclear energy for military purposes.
In response to a question about the outcome the talks, he said, "We adhere to certain principles, including using nuclear technology for peaceful purposes as well as research and development,… and Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei will not accept that Iran abandons its principles in the negotiations and this is the demand of Iranian nation because they have paid a hefty price to preserve their independence."
The former foreign minister also talked about the situation in Iraq and Syria and said, "What terrorist groups like Daesh (the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) are committing in Iraq and Syria is the product of a joint plan by the US and its allies in the region as well as the Zionists which together form the triangle of takfiri conspiracies. These groups have committed extremist acts under various banners and names like Daesh, al Qaeda and al Nusra…"
A takfiri is a Muslim who accuses another Muslim of heresy.
He also expressed doubt about the aims and the sincerity of the US-led coalition, which includes the UK and some regional partners, such as Saudi Arabia, against the Islamic State and said, "Members of the anti-Daesh coalition themselves created extremist groups."
"… They have provided Daesh and other terrorist groups with various forms of support, however, they are acting as if they are confronting IS."
Velayati commented that under such circumstances and double standards, Iran's presence in the region is necessary to thwart those plots.
"Iran doesn't want to interfere in the domestic affairs of any country and Iran assisted the Iraqi government in the fight against IS militants on Baghdad's request and thanks to our help they could take decisive steps to repel their advances."
Iranian officials have frequently stated that Tehran backs the governments in Iraq and Syria in their campaigns against terrorism. Iran has provided them with assistance in forms of military advice and training within the framework of international law.
