Iran blames West for 'artificially' raising oil prices, says war threat is a 'joke'

Iran's president again took aim at the West, blaming the U.S. and Europe for "artificially" raising oil prices and dismissing as "a funny joke" fears that his country could come under attack.

Hours later, on Wednesday, Iranian state television reported that Tehran had test-fired nine long- and medium-range missiles during war games. The report quoted officials as saying the tests are in response to U.S. and Israeli threats.

But President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on a visit to Malaysia, told a news conference Tuesday that the U.S. and Israel were "focusing on propaganda and psychological war."

"Before, it would be considered as a serious issue," he said, speaking through an interpreter. But Iranians are so used to the threats that they now treat it as a "very funny show. ... These type of wars are considered as a funny joke."

He added, "I assure you that there won't be any war in the future."  More...

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