TEHRAN
The Iranian president has defended Sunday the pursuit of nuclear negotiations with Western powers in order for the country's economy to improve.
"Sustained growth cannot be achieved in isolation" from the world, but Iran will not give up its own principles and ideals, said Iran's President Hassan Rouhani at a national economic conference in Tehran.
He added though that it would be better for the country’s economy if Iran and Western countries reached a permanent agreement in the ongoing nuclear negotiations.
Tehran agreed to limit certain aspects of its controversial nuclear program in exchange for relief in international sanctions under a deal reached in November 2013 in Geneva.
Certain Iranians oppose the ongoing nuclear talks with six world powers - the U.S., the U.K., China, France, Russia and Germany, also known as the P5+1 group.
But Rouhani argued that all participants in the talks sought after their own countries' benefits, interests and principles.
The comments came after Saturday's disclaimer from Iran’s foreign ministry, which denied media reports claiming Tehran and Washington had agreed on a tentative deal requiring Iranian uranium to be shipped to Russia.
Recent media reports had indeed said that the U.S. and Iran had reached a tentative agreement aimed at reducing Tehran's nuclear program.
“Such media propaganda is politically motivated and basically aimed at damaging the atmosphere of the nuclear talks and further complicating the process to resolve the nuclear issues," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said, accordıng to the administration’s website.
The P5+1 groups want Iran to curb its nuclear program in return for lifting of sanctions.
Tehran argues its nuclear program is for peaceful civilian purposes.
The next round of talks with Iran will take place in Geneva on Jan. 15.
www.aa.com.tr/en
