Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated on Thursday that his country’s economy is developing fast – now jumping to 15th place, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Speaking at a gathering of revolutionary guard commanders, Ahmadinejad said Iran’s economic volume has surpassed 1,100,000 billion tomans ($1 US goes for 1226 tomans according to the official rate).

According to a report by the International Monetary Fund, Iran had the 17th highest GDP (PPP) in the world last year.

He said “the enemy”, with the help of people inside the country, tried to lower the price of the Iranian currency, which has lost over half its value since last year.

“Enemies were conceiving that Iran would be polished off if they imposed restrictions, but Iran is overfilled with resources,” the Iranian president said. “We are endeavouring to mend it and they will see in two or three years that the oil revenue will lose its share of the Iranian economy entirely.”

While noting that construction activities and developments are the cause of international pressure against the Islamic Republic, Ahmadinejad also pointed a finger at European powers.

“Is our social status worse than theirs (EU)? It is they who are suffering from the crisis. Still, we haven’t decided to sanction Europe yet.”