Enemies’ political, economic pressures full-fledged, unprecedented war in Iran's history

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Iran's President described the political and economic pressures of enemies against Iran a fully-fledged and unprecedented war in the history of the Islamic Revolution, and emphasised that in such conditions, all revolution forces should be united hand in hand.

Speaking in a cordial meeting with a group of political activists on Saturday evening, Dr Hassan Rouhani said, “Today, it cannot be said that the conditions are better or worse than the Imposed War [with Iraq], but during the war we did not have problems with banking, oil sales and imports and exports, and our only sanction was boycott of arms purchases”.

Pointing out the limitations that enemies have created for the country's banking activities and the additional costs imposed by these banking sanctions on the country's financial transfers, the President said, “These problems have impacted the areas of oil, petrochemical, steel and agriculture”.

Addressing the political activists at the meeting, Dr Rouhani presented a statistical report on the current situation in various economic fields, adding, "You, who are political figures and are in parliament and other positions and familiar with the political issues of the country, must understand today’s facts and find out the best and least costly solutions”.

The President said, “During the Imposed War, almost all people agreed that the government was not to blame for problems, but Saddam had begun the invasion and warfare, and because people were unanimous in this regard, the conditions were not ideal but fairly good and people helped solve problems. Today, we must hold the same consensus and create empathy and consensus, and do not give up”.

Dr Rouhani stated, "Surrendering is not compatible with our culture and religion, and people do not accept it, so we must not surrender and we must find solutions, and in this regard, it is important to know how much of the solution is available to the government”.

“When the government is asked questions, it would be necessary to examine how much the government has had authority in those areas under question. For example, if questions regarding foreign policy, culture or cyberspace are raised, we have to see how much authority the government has in these areas,” added the President.

Dr Rouhani stressed that people are the basis of the Revolution and all our victories were due to the presence and support of the people, stating, “Without people’s support managing the country would not be possible for even one day, so we must provide conditions for more active participation of people and keep them satisfied”.

"People have economic problems, but the only problem is not economic, therefore, we must pay attention to all aspects," the president said, referring to a political activist’s remarks who described people's problem merely economic.

Dr Rouhani said, "It's important to make decisions for the people to be happy and feel that an important step has been taken at the meeting”.

The president added, "If people feel that different groups and organisations have become closer to each other and are sympathetic towards one other, they will be happy and more hopeful, but when they see, for example, the government has taken steps to correct the price of energy carriers, but the parliament rejects it, they will surely people get worried”.

Dr Rouhani said, "People do not become happy about the gaps between various branches and organs”.

The president said, “When we submit a bill to the parliament as an urgent matter to establish ministry of commerce, and ask the parliament to form a ministry of commerce, it is expected that the parliament helps us, because in today's situation due to the incorrect decision to integrate several ministries under the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade, the country will not be able to handle the country's business without a Ministry of Commerce”.

"We are in a difficult situation today, but at the same time I am not disappointed, and I am so much hopeful of the future, and I believe that we can overcome these conditions, provided we are together and join hands," Rouhani said.

The president said, “The election that is going to be held at the end of this year can be a symbol of unity and solidarity if we are kind and sympathetic towards each other”.

Dr Rouhani emphasised, "If we stand together and understand that no way of thinking and faction can be eliminated, we can overcome the problems".

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