Iran's president vows to liberate economy from sanctions

The Iranian government and people are resolved to liberate the country's economy from western sanctions, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said here on Sunday.

The government will restore the country's economic and trade rights violated by the western powers through active diplomacy, Rouhani said addressing a cultural ceremony in the capital Tehran, Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran will liberate its "economic territory" from sanctions just as it repelled Iraq occupation from its soil during the war in the 1980s, Rouhani said.

"We need to liberate from the hands of the enemy all our economic and trade territories that have been illegitimately occupied," Rouhani was quoted as saying.

Western powers have imposed rounds of diverse sanctions on Iran, accusing Tehran of developing atomic weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear plan. Iran rejected the accusation and insisted its nuclear program is solely peaceful.

In recent nuclear talks, Iranian officials have urged for total removal of economic and financial sanctions against Iran if a possible nuclear deal could be implemented. However, the western powers insist on the gradual removal of sanctions.

Iran and world powers concluded latest round of negotiations on Friday in a run to finalize an accord on the country's nuclear issue before the June 30 deadline.

It has been over a year and a half since Iran and the world powers agreed to come back to the negotiating table in 2013. However, wide differences have prevented the sides from reaching a final deal.

The negotiators agreed in November 2014 to extend the deadline for another seven months, aiming to reach a deal by the end of June. Endit