‘Iran not after oil market instability’

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast rejects the Western claims about Tehran’s attempts to disrupt the global energy markets as unfounded and baseless.

During his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Mehmanparast said the Western countries are the ones trying to disturb the balance of the global energy market.

The Iranian official added that Tehran has frequently announced that it will use all its capabilities and capacities to sustain the stability of the oil market.

Commenting on the situation in Syria, Mehmanparast said Tehran’s stance regarding Damascus has not changed, as the Islamic Republic supports the legitimate demands of the Syrian people and the reforms implemented by the country’s government.

“At first, however, peace, security and stability must be restored in Syria,” Mehmanparast said, adding that the conflicts supported by foreign countries must come to an end.

The Iranian official said Tehran’s overall plan is to provide the right atmosphere for talks between the Syrian opposition and government.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011. The violence has claimed the lives of many people, including security forces.

Damascus blames ‘outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups’ for the unrest, saying that it is being orchestrated from abroad.