Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has condemned the recent sanctions by the UN Security Council, the US and the EU against his country, ILNA news agency reports.
"Sanctions against Iran are a political game," Ahmadinejad said at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
He added that "the enemies of the country and arrogant powers are opposed to a developed Iran since it can break their delusions of grandeur."
"The enemies are plotting to portray Iran as a weak country," Ahmadinejad said.
Iranian president stressed that "it is a false belief that Tehran can ease pressures by retreating," adding that "the nation must take advantage of such threats and propaganda and turn them into opportunities."
The remarks came less than a week after the 27-member European bloc adopted new tougher measures against Tehran, which includes a ban on investment in Iran's oil and gas industry by member states as well as investment and technical assistance to the country's refining, liquefaction and natural gas sectors. The punitive measure goes beyond a fourth round of UN Security Council sanctions imposed last month, targeting Iran's oil and gas sectors.