Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Sunday that preparing a roadmap for a stable economy, strengthening the private sector and cracking down on lawlessness are necessary to stabilize the market and foil US plots.
“If an economic roadmap is developed, the people and businesses will know better what they should do and it will help the government by bestowing a sense of calm and stability,” he said in a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani and his Cabinet in Tehran, his official website reported.
“Those who violate the law should be severely dealt with regardless of their status,” the Leader said, adding that the private sector should be strengthened as the locomotive behind economic growth.
He called for practical measures and redoubling efforts to fight rampant corruption, render the economy more self-reliant, eradicate illegal activities such as smuggling and money laundering, make regulations more transparent, make judicious use of national resources and keep the people abreast of developments.
Diplomatic Interaction
Iran’s diplomatic interaction with other countries should be enhanced, Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding, “Except for some countries such as the United States, the country’s relations with the East and the West should be strengthened.”
The Leader commended the “strong” stance adopted by the president on the nuclear deal after the US walked away and said the European signatories to the accord should ensure Iran receives the benefits outlined in the historic deal.
“However, the economy should not be tied to and wait for [the resolution of] this issue,” he noted.
Rouhani told the Leader his administration is making every possible effort to address the economic challenges and urged all branches of the government to coordinate their efforts to help thwart US ploys visibly aimed at undermining the national economy.
Economic Woes
Several cities, including Tehran, in recent have seen anti-government demonstrations driven by the worsening economic conditions, particularly the steep plunge in the value of the national currency and rising prices.
Crowds at one point shut down Tehran’s sprawling Grand Bazaar and marched to the gates of Parliament.
The economic woes have been worsened by US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the nuclear agreement signed with world powers in 2015, which offered Tehran relief from economic sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program.
Trump abandoned the agreement in May and ordered sanctions reimposed on Iran. Washington has demanded that all countries stop buying Iranian oil by November and foreign firms stop doing business with the country or face US blacklists.
The government in Tehran has taken a number of measures to stabilize the market, including the launch of a secondary market for foreign exchange to ease pressure on the rial.
It is also clamping down on foreign products by banning imports of non-essential goods.
