Monday, December 22, 2014

Larijani: Regional Powers Conspiring to Reduce Oil Prices

In Damascus to Renew Support for Assad
Iran’s Speaker of Majlis Ali Larijani said today the Islamic Republic was mindful of regional players working against Tehran in the global oil marketplace. In a not-so-veiled reference to Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, Larijani said those countries are conspiring to keep oil prices low to punish Iran.

“We will not forget which countries are conspiring to reduce oil prices,” Larijani said. “It would be a mistake if they imagine they can change the strategic and important issues of the region through oil.” (UPI, 22 December)

Larijani made the comments in Damascus during a visit to the Syrian capital. Iran is trying to retool its economy, stifled by sanctions, and now the low price of oil, off about 45 percent from its June value.

Larijani is in Damascus to renew Iranian support for Assad regime. He met with the Syrian president on Sunday, and said later that Assad will continue his determination to eradicate “terrorism,” a term used to describe Assad’s opponents and the Syrian opposition. Assad said on Sunday, however, that his government is ready to work on “reconciliation” to end the brutal civil war, sate news agency SANA reported.


Photo credit: Iran’s Speaker of Majlis Ali Larijani (l.) meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad; Damascus, 21 December 2014 (Reuters)

1 comment:

Mark Pyruz said...

Larijani is on a regional tour to the capitals of the Iran-led coalition partners against ISIL and Al-Qaida forces. In addition to Syria, Larijani's tour includes stops in Lebanon and Iraq, as well.

Where Assad uses the term "terrorism," there exists overlap with our American rendering of ISIL and Al-Qaida linked forces as terrorist organizations.