Iran agreed to talks with world powers over its nuclear program to reduce economic pressure on the people, and will continue on this path but will not compromise on its values and accomplishments, says a senior official.
Speaking at an open session of parliament on Sunday, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said Iran agreed to talks with major powers including the United States despite its hostility to "improve the situation from an economic perspective," ICANA reported.
He was referring to marathon talks that led to the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran, the US, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia that gave Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbing its nuclear program. Washington pulled out of the agreement in May.
"After the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, the European Union often requested that Iran not exercise its legal right to reciprocate and urged it to stay in the accord," the senior lawmaker told the chamber.
Tehran did not reject the European call in order to prevent the economic situation getting worse for ordinary people and is still continuing negotiations with the EU for this purpose, he added.
"Iran will use every means to clarify misunderstandings and resolve the issue so that people will not be put under (more) economic pressure. Tehran will continue to do so while continuing on the path of progress and nuclear technology development [for peaceful purposes]."
Interaction
The speaker noted that although Iran favors interaction with other nations, it will not "compromise on its dignity".
He said the enemy's plot to strangle the country economically can “be an advantage if the people and authorities use the new environment to boost the national economy and curb reliance on foreign powers.”
Self Reliance
"The sanctions imposed by enemies during the imposed war made Iran more determined and encouraged it to focus on domestic knowhow in technology, particularly in manufacturing missiles," Larijani said, referring to the 1980-1988 war imposed on Iran by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
"Today Iran has deterrent power and military threats against it are no longer on the table. Rather there are talks about reducing the range of its missiles. This deterrence power is the result of efforts made at the time (war years) to strengthen national defense."
The Majlis speaker believes that the same approach should be adopted toward domestic economic issues to deter the United States from resorting to unilateral economic sanctions to bully Iran.
“This goal can be achieved only if domestic potential is exploited effectively and the ground is prepared for the youth to engage in scientific and technological activities that contribute to the country’s progress.”
