Baku, Azerbaijan, May 20
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said that the Islamic Republic will take necessary steps to safeguard the security in the region, if it is needed.
Rouhani made the remarks during a visit to Iran's north western city of Tabriz on May 20, Iranian state IRINN TV reported live.
The Iranian president further said that the Islamic Republic has never planed any invasion against other countries, but will respond to any invasion with full power as well.
Iran is already clashing with some regional countries in particular Saudi Arabia over a number of issues, specially their supporting opposing sides in the Syrian and Yemen civil war.
Saudi Arabia and its allies accuse the Islamic Republic of destabilizing the region, something that Tehran denies.
Further speaking about the nuclear issue, Rouhani said the administration is determined to continue the nuclear talks with the P5+1 (the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China plus Germany) till achieving a final deal.
He emphasized that a final deal will be achievable if the counter side gives up its excessive demands.
The Iranian president underlined that alongside the peaceful nuclear activity, economic growth is also important for the Islamic Republic.
Iran and the P5+1 group of countries reached a mutual understanding on Tehran's nuclear program in the Swiss city of Lausanne on April 2.The parties have agreed to finalize a comprehensive deal on Tehran 's nuclear program by the end of June.
Rouhani said that despite sharp fall in crude oil price his administration is determined to maintain the country's economic growth.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast a 0.6 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth for Iran in 2015.
The IMF put Iran's GDP growth at 3 percent in 2014, while predicting a 1.3 percent GDP growth for the country in 2016.
Iran is expected to face a budget deficit in the current Iranian fiscal year (to end March 20, 2016), due to the sharp fall in oil prices.
The country's budget for current year is based an oil price of $72 per barrel. This is while oil price is currently below the figure.
The Iranian administration has announced that it has prepared a special plan for running the country even if oil price drops to $40.
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