Iranian FM official: West puts pressure on Iran due to loss of its positions

In general, we do not think that targeted threats and pressure made to force the Iranian people to refuse from their rights correct. Similar measures will not bring any result, Mehmanparast told Trend News.

Three days ago the U.S. Senate has included four companies associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and one general in the "black list". It also imposed a ban on any business with them. Currently, the U.S. Senate holds debate to include those who put pressure on the opposition after the elections held in Iran on June 12 in the "black list". President Barack Obama said on Feb. 11 that after two or three weeks, the UN Security Council will begin discussion to apply new sanctions against Iran.

According to the representative of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, such steps are taken to put pressure. During 31 years after the Iranian Islamic revolution, we faced this kind of harassment for a long time. They always pressed on Iran under new pretexts. After the victory of Islamic revolution, they have applied sanctions against Iran even if Iran was not engaged in nuclear activities," Mehmanparast said.

The U.S. and other Western countries accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons for military purposes under the guise of peaceful nuclear energy program. Tehran denies the charges, saying that its nuclear program is aimed solely at meeting the country's electricity needs. The U.N. Security Council adopted five resolutions in connection with the suspension of Iran's nuclear program. Three involve the use of economic sanctions on Iran.

The West harshly criticizes Iran not only because of the nuclear program, but also for violation of democracy and human rights principles inside the country.

The main reason for the U.S. and its allies' actions against Iran is that after the Islamic revolution, they lost their positions in Iran, Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman told Trend News.

According to him, after the Iranian Islamic revolution and gaining the independence, they lost their income and profits in Iran.

After the June 12 presidential elections in Iran, the opposition announced rigging the voting results. Reformist candidates Mir Hussein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have reported extensive fraud in the elections. Observers say the protests, which began in Iran after the elections have become the largest since the 1979 Islamic revolution. They arrested hundreds of political activists and killed dozens of civilians.

"Pressure of the United States and its allies on Iran is for us to retreat from our principles, but it is not possible. If they want a positive result, it would be better if they cooperate with us and officially recognize Iran's rights, " Mehmanparast said.

Let the West see meetings held yesterday (on February 11) on the occasion of the 31-st anniversary of the Iranian Islamic revolution, and know that the Iranian people protect their gains, including a peaceful nuclear program, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

/Trend News/