Budget pressure unlikely to deflect Iran from nuclear goals

Iran's national flags are seen on a square in Tehran February 10, 2012. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl

DUBAI (Reuters) - A big oil price slide will hurt Iran's attempts to rescue battered living standards, but economic pain is unlikely to soften its stance in nuclear talks or end aid to allies such as Syria, matters seen by its ruling clerics as strategic priorities.

Economic misery due to sanctions and mismanagement has been a reality for years, and while social strains in the 76 million population are deep, the clerics will seek to contain them, say experts examining Iran's budget plans for 2015.