Rouhani: Sanctions will sting West, too

Iran’s president implies frustration from the conditions imposed by economic restrictions could spill over to Western countries

TEHRAN, Iran — Sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program will hurt the West as well as the Islamic Republic, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday.

Rouhani was speaking to a meeting of parliamentarians from across the Muslim world on Tuesday, shortly before Tehran was scheduled to meet in world powers in Vienna for a final deal that could see Iran give up some nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief.

“Fire, war-mongering and the frustration of human beings are result of the sanctions,” Rouhani said. He said the “fire” would also damage the countries that impose them.

The West partially eased sanctions after Iran in November agreed to stop some operations as part of an interim deal.

The West says Iran’s nuclear program has a military dimension. Iran denies this.