TEHRAN, May 8 (UPI) -- The Iranian government is confident it can overcome the effects of sanctions the West is threatening to impose over its nuclear program.
Government Spokesman Ghulam Hussein Elham said Monday "it was not clear if the sanctions will harm Iran which enjoys enormous economic and production capabilities."
"The government and people of Iran have no real worries regarding the sanctions... the government (has) prepared programs and plans to develop the country and is confident no problem will occur in that sense," Elham was quoted as saying by the Iranian News Agency, IRNA.
He said if implemented, the sanctions will help local industries and national products to prosper and consequently result in scientific and technological development.
"In fact, Iran is already subject to sanctions and this is nothing new for the people," he added.
Elham stressed that the Iranian people have acquired great experiences since the Islamic revolution toppled the shah's regime 27 years ago and "as such the Iranian people will resist in order to fulfill its rights."
The West and the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, request that Iran stop uranium enrichment operations or face sanctions by the U.N. Security Council.
Meanwhile, two explosions rocked the city of Karmanshahr in western Iran Monday, targeting the offices of the city's governor and a commercial building.
IRNA quoted the city's deputy Mayor Ali Taali as saying an investigation was ordered to identify the reasons of the explosions and assess the damage they caused.
He said the blast at the governor's office occurred minutes after a similar explosion took place in a commercial building in the western part of Karmanshahr.
There was no immediate word on possible casualties.
