President Hassan Rouhani highlighted the rise in foreign investment on the back of relief from sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal, renewing a call for closer domestic cooperation to promote investor confidence.
"Since the completion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [the official title of the nuclear accord], we have attracted $5 billion in foreign investment and this trend is rising," Rouhani was quoted as saying by his official website on Monday.
"Today we are in a better situation for conducting business and attracting local and overseas investment and we should effectively exploit [this situation]," he told a meeting with officials on a trip to Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad Province.
The president again urged his domestic opponents to join government efforts to promote a climate of business and investment security.
***Need for Calm Climate
"The obstacles have been removed, but we cannot force anyone to make investment in the country. A calmer and safer domestic environment will lead to higher investor confidence. The more we become embroiled in infighting, the more unconfident investors will grow," he said.
Rouhani championed the historic accord with major powers, which took effect in January to roll back Tehran's nuclear program in return for the lifting of sanctions.
His opponents have fiercely criticized the deal, accusing him and his negotiating team of making too many concessions and compromising the Islamic Republic's principles.
They are also fearful that an opening to the West, promoted by Rouhani whose primary concern is to reverse the current economic downturn, could make the country an easy prey for hostile western powers.
"Those who judge the government's performance should consider under what conditions we [took over and] have run the country," the president said.
The previous administration had left Rouhani with a backlog of debts, a runaway inflation and crippling economic sanctions.
